The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an urgent nationwide recall of several brands of eggs following a wave of Salmonella infections that have affected families across multiple states. Health officials are warning consumers to check their refrigerators immediately, as the contaminated eggs have already led to dozens of hospitalizations.
According to the FDA, the recall involves eggs produced and distributed by a large supplier whose products were shipped to supermarkets, restaurants, and wholesalers in at least 12 states. The contamination was first detected after clusters of gastrointestinal illness were reported in separate regions, all traced back to the same source.
“Consumers should not take this lightly,” said Dr. Laura Jennings, an FDA food safety spokesperson. “If you’ve purchased eggs in the past few weeks, check the brand, packaging date, and lot number. If they match the affected batches, discard them immediately.”
Salmonella bacteria are known to cause severe foodborne illness, particularly dangerous for children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms typically include fever, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, which can appear anywhere from 6 hours to 6 days after exposure. In some cases, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and become life-threatening.
The FDA’s investigation began after state health departments noticed a pattern of similar symptoms in multiple food poisoning reports. Lab testing confirmed that the strain of Salmonella found in patients matched that found in the recalled egg batches. “It’s one of the more aggressive strains we’ve seen this year,” said Dr. Jennings.
Hospitals have reported children and elderly patients being admitted with severe dehydration. One mother shared her family’s ordeal online, saying her 9-year-old daughter became violently ill just a day after eating scrambled eggs for breakfast. “She couldn’t stop vomiting,” the mother said. “We thought it was the flu until doctors confirmed it was Salmonella.”
The FDA is urging anyone who believes they have consumed contaminated eggs to monitor for symptoms and seek medical attention if they develop severe illness. Consumers are also advised to thoroughly clean and disinfect any surfaces, utensils, or refrigerator shelves that may have come in contact with the recalled eggs.
Experts remind the public that even properly refrigerated eggs can still carry bacteria if contaminated before packaging. Cooking eggs thoroughly — until both yolks and whites are firm — can significantly reduce the risk of infection. “Avoid runny yolks, raw cookie dough, or homemade sauces that use uncooked eggs,” Dr. Jennings added.
Retailers have begun pulling the affected products from shelves, and restaurants are being advised to check their stock as well. The FDA is continuing to trace distribution routes to ensure all contaminated products are removed from circulation.
Consumers can find the official list of recalled egg brands and lot numbers on the FDA’s website. Officials stress that even if the eggs look or smell fine, they may still carry dangerous bacteria.
As one health expert summed it up: “This is not about panic — it’s about prevention. A single bad egg can ruin more than just breakfast.”
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