Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business

In a significant food safety alert, August Egg Company has issued a voluntary recall of 1.7 million cartons of brown cage-free and organic eggs distributed across nine U.S. states following a salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 79 individuals, including 21 hospitalizations, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The recall includes eggs sold at major grocery chains including Walmart, Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raley’s, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs, spanning California, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming.

Affected Products and Identification

The recalled eggs were sold between early February and mid-May 2025, with "sell by" dates from March 4 to June 19, 2025, depending on the retailer and state. Consumers are urged to check egg cartons for plant codes P-6562 or CA-5330 and Julian Dates ranging from 032 to 126, printed on either fiber or plastic cartons.

Popular brands affected include:

Marketside (Walmart’s private label)

O Organics

Simple Truth

Sunnyside

Raley’s

Sun Harvest

First Street

Clover

Nulaid

A complete list of specific items and UPC codes has been published by the FDA and is available at their official website.

Health Impact and Investigation

The CDC has reported 79 confirmed cases of salmonella across seven states, with the majority (63 cases) in California. Other states with reported cases include Nevada (4), Washington (4), Arizona (3), Nebraska (2), New Jersey (2), and Kentucky (1).

Victims range in age from 1 to 90 years old, and of the 30 people interviewed, 27 reported eating eggs prior to falling ill.

Salmonella infections commonly cause fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, developing between 6 hours and 6 days after exposure. While many recover without treatment, vulnerable populations such as children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems may face more serious complications.

Company Response and Safety Measures

In a public statement, August Egg Company stated: “When our processing plant identified this concern, we immediately began diverting all eggs to a pasteurization facility to eliminate any pathogens. We are committed to thoroughly investigating this issue and enhancing our internal food safety protocols to prevent future incidents.”

Consumers in possession of the affected eggs are urged to dispose of them immediately or return them to the point of purchase for a full refund.

Additional Food Safety Alert: Cucumber-Linked Outbreak

In a separate salmonella outbreak, the CDC has confirmed 45 illnesses across 18 states linked to cucumbers, prompting additional recalls of products like salsas, wraps, veggie trays, and sushi items containing the vegetable.

What Consumers Should Do

Check carton labels for plant codes P-6562 or CA-5330 and Julian dates 032–126.

If you own any of the recalled products, do not consume them. Return them for a refund or dispose of them safely. If you experience symptoms of salmonella, seek medical attention and inform your local health department if you believe contaminated food was the cause.