A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis linked to shell eggs in the United States has been upgraded to the highest risk classification by the US Food and Drug Administration, as health officials continue to track illnesses tied to millions of recalled eggs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 98 people have fallen ill across 17 states, with 26 people hospitalized since the outbreak began. No deaths have been reported so far. 

The eggs at the centre of the outbreak were produced and distributed by Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. from farms in Texas between June 6 and July 3, 2026. On July 22, the company voluntarily recalled more than 1.5 million dozen white shell eggs and brown cage free shell eggs after determining they had the potential to carry Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. The total volume involved works out to roughly 19 million individual eggs, according to figures cited by US media outlets covering the recall. 

On August 13, the FDA reclassified the recall as Class I, its most serious designation, meaning there is a reasonable probability that consuming the affected product could lead to serious health consequences or death. The agency had initially flagged the eggs for possible contamination in July, but the elevated classification followed further review of the scope and severity of the outbreak.

Recalled cartons were sold in bulk and retail sizes ranging from half a dozen to five dozen eggs, with best by dates falling between July 20 and August 17, 2026, and cartons marked with the codes P-1950 or 0840962. The eggs were distributed to Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, and were sold through major retail chains including Kroger stores in Texas and Brookshire’s locations across six states, in addition to smaller regional retailers and foodservice customers. 

Investigators say the outbreak’s reach may extend beyond the confirmed case count. According to the CDC, illnesses linked to the outbreak strain began as early as November 2025 and continued through the end of June 2026, though the true number of affected people is likely higher than what has been officially reported. Health authorities note that many people who contract Salmonella recover without seeking medical care and are never tested, meaning they do not show up in official statistics. Recent illnesses may also not yet be captured in the count, since it typically takes three to four weeks after a person falls sick for health officials to confirm whether a case belongs to a known outbreak.

Traceback work conducted by the FDA identified Midwest Poultry Services as a common source for a portion of the illnesses, and samples collected at the company’s Texas farms tested positive for Salmonella. Whole genome sequencing carried out by a third party laboratory matched some of those samples to the outbreak strain, prompting the company to expand its recall. However, health officials have cautioned that Midwest Poultry Services does not account for all the illnesses identified in the outbreak, and that additional sources may still be under investigation. As of the most recent updates, no further origin points had been publicly identified.

Geographically, the outbreak has been concentrated heavily in Texas, which accounts for the large majority of confirmed cases, with smaller clusters reported in Arizona and Louisiana and additional isolated cases scattered across other states.

Health authorities are urging consumers and businesses in the affected regions to check any shell eggs in their possession against the recalled lot codes and dates, and to discard or return any matching product rather than consume it. Salmonella infection, commonly known as salmonellosis, typically causes diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps that develop within six hours to six days of exposure. Most healthy adults recover without treatment within a week, but the infection can be more severe in young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, sometimes requiring hospitalisation.

Public health officials note that Salmonella bacteria live naturally in the intestines of humans and animals, and that people can be exposed through contaminated food, contaminated water, or contact with animals and their environments. Contaminated food remains the leading cause of cases in the United States, and eggs have repeatedly featured in past outbreaks traced to production and packing facilities.

The current outbreak follows a separate egg related Salmonella investigation in mid 2025, when a California based producer recalled eggs after dozens of illnesses were linked to its products across several western and midwestern states. Food safety experts say recurring outbreaks tied to shell eggs underscore ongoing challenges in poultry farm sanitation and the importance of consistent testing throughout the supply chain.

The FDA and CDC say their investigation remains active, and further updates are expected as additional laboratory and traceback data become available.