What Happened to Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Eggs?
Salmonella contamination in eggs continues to be a recurring public health concern, with multiple significant outbreaks reported across the United States in 2024, 2025, and an ongoing investigation in 2026. These outbreaks have led to numerous illnesses, hospitalizations, and extensive recalls of millions of eggs from various producers, prompting federal agencies like the FDA and CDC to issue public health alerts and conduct investigations. The most recent ongoing outbreak in 2026 has been linked to Midwest Poultry Services, L.P., resulting in nearly 100 reported illnesses across 17 states.
Quick Answer
Salmonella outbreaks linked to eggs remain a persistent issue, with several significant incidents in recent years. As of August 5, 2026, a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections is under investigation, tied to shell eggs recalled by Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. This ongoing outbreak has resulted in 98 reported illnesses and 26 hospitalizations across 17 states, with over 1.5 million dozen eggs recalled. Prior outbreaks in 2024 and 2025, linked to producers like Milo's Poultry Farms, August Egg Company, and Country Eggs, also led to widespread illnesses and recalls, highlighting the continuous challenge of ensuring egg safety.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Massive DeCoster Farms Recall
Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms, both owned by Austin 'Jack' DeCoster, recalled a staggering 550 million eggs due to Salmonella Enteritidis contamination, sickening over 1,000 people. This became one of the largest egg recalls in U.S. history.
Rose Acre Farms Recalls 200 Million Eggs
Rose Acre Farms in North Carolina voluntarily recalled over 200 million eggs due to Salmonella contamination fears, linked to 45 illnesses in 10 states.
Gravel Ridge Farms Outbreak and Recall
An FDA investigation traced a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak, sickening 45 individuals in 12 states, to Gravel Ridge Farms in Alabama, leading to a recall and discovery of unsanitary practices.
Start of Milo's Poultry Farms Outbreak Illnesses
Illnesses associated with the Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to Milo's Poultry Farms, LLC, began to be reported.
Milo's Poultry Farms Recalls Eggs
Milo's Poultry Farms, LLC, voluntarily recalled all eggs supplied by their farm, including organic chicken and duck eggs, after FDA inspections found the outbreak strain of Salmonella.
Milo's Poultry Farms Outbreak Declared Over
The CDC declared the Salmonella outbreak linked to Milo's Poultry Farms over, with a total of 93 people infected and 34 hospitalizations across 12 states.
Start of August Egg Company Outbreak Illnesses
Illnesses began to be reported in a multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to brown cage-free and organic eggs from August Egg Company.
August Egg Company Outbreak Declared Over
The FDA and CDC declared the Salmonella outbreak linked to August Egg Company over, with 134 people infected, 38 hospitalizations, and one death across 10 states.
Country Eggs, LLC Recalls Eggs
Country Eggs, LLC, recalled large, brown, cage-free 'sunshine/omega-3 golden' yolk eggs due to a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak that sickened 95 people in 14 states.
Country Eggs, LLC Outbreak Declared Over
The CDC reported that the Salmonella outbreak linked to Country Eggs, LLC, appeared to be over, with a total of 105 people infected.
Start of Midwest Poultry Services Outbreak Illnesses
Illnesses began to be reported in the ongoing multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak now linked to Midwest Poultry Services, L.P.
Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. Initiates Egg Recall
Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. voluntarily recalled over 1.5 million dozen white shell and brown cage-free eggs produced in Texas due to potential Salmonella Enteritidis contamination.
FDA and CDC Announce Ongoing Investigation
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state partners, announced an ongoing investigation into a multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. eggs, reporting 98 illnesses and 26 hospitalizations across 17 states.
Outbreak Investigation Continues
As of today, the Salmonella outbreak linked to Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. eggs is still under investigation, with public health officials continuing to monitor cases and advise consumers on recalled products.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Salmonella outbreaks linked to eggs have been a consistent public health challenge in the United States, with several notable incidents occurring in 2024, 2025, and an ongoing situation in 2026. These outbreaks underscore the complexities of food safety in large-scale egg production and distribution.
What Happened: In 2024, an outbreak linked to Milo's Poultry Farms, LLC, in Wisconsin, resulted in 93 reported illnesses and 34 hospitalizations across 12 states. This led to the recall of over 4 million organic chicken and duck eggs. The following year, 2025, saw two distinct outbreaks. The first, traced to August Egg Company in California, affected 134 people in 10 states, causing 38 hospitalizations and one death, leading to a recall of brown cage-free and organic eggs. Later in 2025, Country Eggs, LLC, also in California, was linked to an outbreak that sickened 105 individuals in 14 states, with 19 hospitalizations, prompting another recall of large brown cage-free eggs.
Current Status (as of 2026-08-05): The most recent and ongoing outbreak, identified in July 2026, is linked to Midwest Poultry Services, L.P., based in Texas. This outbreak has caused 98 reported illnesses and 26 hospitalizations across 17 states. Midwest Poultry Services proactively recalled over 1.5 million dozen white shell and brown cage-free eggs with sell-by dates between July 20, 2026, and August 17, 2026. The FDA and CDC are actively investigating, with traceback data and firm testing confirming Salmonella Enteritidis in samples matching the outbreak strain. Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators for recalled eggs and dispose of them or return them for a refund.
Why It Happened: Salmonella contamination in eggs often originates from infected hens, where the bacteria can be present inside the egg before the shell is formed, or from external contamination through fecal matter in unsanitary conditions. Investigations into these outbreaks typically involve epidemiological data (interviewing sick individuals), laboratory testing (whole genome sequencing to match bacterial strains), and traceback efforts to identify common egg sources. In many cases, environmental samples from laying houses or packing facilities have tested positive for the outbreak strain, indicating a breakdown in biosecurity or sanitation protocols at the farm level.
Key Turning Points and Consequences: Each outbreak typically triggers a recall of affected products, public health alerts from the CDC and FDA, and investigations into the implicated egg producers. These events lead to significant financial losses for the companies involved, damage to consumer trust, and increased scrutiny of food safety practices. Historically, major outbreaks like the 2010 DeCoster Farms incident, which involved the recall of 550 million eggs and sickened thousands, led to criminal charges and heightened awareness of egg safety regulations. The recurring nature of these outbreaks emphasizes the ongoing need for stringent food safety measures throughout the egg supply chain, from farm to consumer. The CDC estimates that only one in every 30 Salmonella infections is ever diagnosed, suggesting the true scope of these outbreaks is often much larger than reported.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Eggs made different choices?