US health authorities have withdrawn more than one million cartons of eggs from markets in six states, after suspecting they may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Midwest Poultry Services recalled approximately 1.6 million cartons of eggs, each containing 12 eggs of both white and brown varieties, due to concerns about the presence of Salmonella Enteritidis bacteria.
The company said the recall decision came after the discovery of potential contamination in its products, through proactive environmental monitoring programs and root cause analysis, confirming that the distribution of the eggs included in the recall has been temporarily halted, and that the process does not include other products.
The Food and Drug Administration explained that the recalled eggs were produced on farms in Texas and distributed between June 6 and July 3, 2026, with expiration dates ranging from July 20 to August 17.
The distribution included a number of retailers, including Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana, and Brookshire Grocery branches in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Mississippi.
Health authorities confirmed that no illnesses related to these eggs had been recorded up to the time of the recall announcement, but warned that the contaminated products may look normal and could cause illness if eaten raw or undercooked.
Authorities urged consumers who purchased the recalled products not to consume them and to return them to the store where they were purchased for a refund.
Salmonella is a common bacterium that can be found in poultry, meat, dairy products, eggs, fish, and some fruits and vegetables. Infection is often transmitted through consuming contaminated food or drink, or by contact with the feces of infected animals or contaminated surfaces.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that Salmonella infects about 1.3 million people annually in the United States, causing more than 26,000 hospitalizations and about 400 deaths each year.
Symptoms of infection usually appear between six hours and six days after exposure to the bacteria, and include diarrhea, which may be bloody, fever, and stomach cramps.
In some cases, the bacteria can reach the intestines and cause inflammation, and may also travel to the bloodstream and reach other organs, increasing the risk of complications, especially in people who are more susceptible to health risks.
Treatment for most cases involves fluid replacement to prevent dehydration, while some patients may require antibiotics in severe cases. It is advisable to consult a doctor if diarrhea or vomiting persists for more than two days, or if blood appears in the urine or stool, or if fever or signs of dehydration develop.
