Egg Recall Sparks Multistate Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Country Eggs, LLC Distribution

A coordinated investigation involving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and public health officials across several states is currently addressing a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections traced to eggs distributed by Country Eggs, LLC. Consumers who possess any of the implicated eggs are advised to discard them or return them to the point of purchase immediately.

Analysis by CDC epidemiologists and traceback data have pinpointed Country Eggs, LLC as the distributor of the contaminated eggs, which appear to have been the source of illness among several individuals. As of August 27, 2025, 95 individuals have been identified across 14 states as part of this outbreak, with illness onset dates ranging from January to July 2025. Among these reported cases, 18 required hospitalization, but fortunately, no fatalities have occurred.

The true count of those affected by the outbreak is likely higher due to underreporting. This discrepancy is attributed to individuals recovering without medical intervention or laboratory confirmation. Further, recent cases may not be reflected in current statistics due to the lag in establishing a connection between individual illness and broader outbreak trends.

Public health teams have been gathering demographic and dietary data from those affected, aiming to uncover commonalities that may indicate exposure pathways. Demographic data reflect a diverse group of affected individuals, spanning ages from 1 to 91, with a slight majority being female. An ethnic and racial breakdown shows predominantly White and non-Hispanic groups, interspersed with Asian and Hispanic cases. Among 36 interviewed subjects, a disproportionately high number reported recent egg consumption compared to general survey figures, strongly implicating eggs as the contamination vector.

Key sub-clusters of illness have emerged, centered around four different restaurant locations where eggs were served, reinforcing the hypothesis of eggs as the contaminant source. Advanced laboratory techniques, including whole genome sequencing, have been employed to verify the genetic similarity among bacterial samples, corroborating the single-source hypothesis. Additionally, the investigative efforts revealed bacterial strains from samples exhibiting resistance to certain antibiotics, presenting potential treatment challenges for affected individuals requiring medication.

The FDA has executed a traceback operation to map the distribution network, confirming Country Eggs, LLC as the primary supplier of the contaminated eggs. Consequently, eggs branded as Sunshine Yolks, sold under various retailer identities including Nagatoshi Produce, Misuho, and Nijiya Markets with sell-by dates from July to September 2025, have been subjected to a recall. The recall extends to large brown cage-free eggs distributed in California and Nevada.

Country Eggs, LLC has ceased production temporarily while further investigations are underway. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return or safely dispose of them. Businesses are prohibited from selling or serving the recalled eggs, easing concerns about continued exposure.

Salmonella infection typically results in symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, nausea, and abdominal cramps. While the majority of cases resolve without treatment in four to seven days, vulnerable populations, such as children under five, the elderly, and those with impaired immunity, may experience severe illness requiring hospitalization.

Federal and state health officials continue to monitor the situation, advising vigilance and adherence to public health messages. This outbreak serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of food safety surveillance and rapid response mechanisms in mitigating public health risks associated with foodborne pathogens.