FDA Issues Urgent Egg Recall in 11 States After Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 92
The FDA announced a multi-state egg recall for products from Sunrise Valley Farms due to Salmonella contamination. The recall is linked to a foodborne illness outbreak that has sickened 92 people, prompting urgent warnings for consumers to discard the products.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has announced a widespread egg recall involving products from Sunrise Valley Farms due to potential Salmonella contamination. The recall follows a multi-state investigation that has linked the eggs to an outbreak that has sickened at least 92 people across 11 states, leading to 18 hospitalizations.
FDA Issues Urgent Egg Recall in 11 States
| Key Fact | Detail / Statistic |
| Product Recalled | All shell eggs from Sunrise Valley Farms of Glenwood, Iowa. |
| Reason for Recall | Potential contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis. |
| Illnesses Reported | 92 confirmed cases, including 18 hospitalizations. No deaths reported. |
| Affected States | AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, NC, NV, OR, TX, WA. |
| Consumer Action | Do not eat. Discard or return to place of purchase for a full refund. |
Details of the FDA Announcement and Recall
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the formal safety alert on Friday after traceback investigations identified Sunrise Valley Farms as the likely source of the outbreak. The voluntary recall covers cartons of shell eggs distributed under the brand names “Sunrise Valley Farms,” “Great Value,” and “Market Pantry.” The affected products were sold in various carton sizes, including 6-count, 12-count, 18-count, and 2.5-dozen packs. Consumers are advised to check cartons for the plant number P-1026 and Julian dates ranging from 210 to 240, which are printed on the short side of the carton.
“We are working closely with our state and federal partners to ensure these products are swiftly removed from the market,” said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas in a statement. “Our primary focus is the health and safety of consumers.”
The Salmonella Outbreak Investigation
The recall is a direct result of a comprehensive epidemiological investigation led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency first detected a spike in Salmonella Enteritidis infections in late July 2025.
Tracing the Source of Contamination
Through interviews with sick individuals, public health officials identified a common link: the consumption of shell eggs purchased from various grocery chains. Using shopper card data and supply chain records, investigators successfully traced the source of the contaminated eggs back to a single facility operated by Sunrise Valley Farms in Iowa.
“This was a complex investigation that required seamless collaboration between local, state, and federal health officials,” said Dr. Maria Sanchez, an epidemiologist with the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases. “The evidence overwhelmingly pointed to this facility as the origin of the Salmonella contamination.”
The specific states reporting illnesses are Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. The CDC notes that the actual number of sick people is likely much higher, as many individuals recover from salmonellosis without medical care and are not tested.
Understanding the Risk of Salmonella Contamination
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. The risk of severe illness is highest in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms and Treatment
- According to the CDC, symptoms of salmonellosis typically appear 6 hours to 6 days after ingesting the bacteria and include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. While most people recover without specific treatment within 4 to 7 days, some may experience severe diarrhea requiring hospitalization.
- “The key concern with this strain, Salmonella Enteritidis, is its ability to colonize the ovaries of hens, leading to internal contamination of the egg before the shell is even formed,” explained Dr. David Reinhart, a professor of food science at Cornell University. “This makes external washing ineffective and underscores the importance of robust on-farm food safety protocols.”
Expert Analysis and Consumer Guidance
Food safety experts have emphasized that recalls like this highlight the effectiveness of the nation’s public health surveillance systems. However, they also serve as a critical reminder of the persistent challenges in the food supply chain. “The system worked as designed: illnesses were detected, an investigation was launched, and a source was identified,” stated Sarah Sorscher, Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Now, the focus must be on ensuring Sunrise Valley Farms corrects the underlying issues that led to this Salmonella contamination in the first place.”
What Consumers Should Do
Officials urge consumers to check their refrigerators for the recalled eggs immediately.
- Do not eat, cook, or sell them.
- Discard the eggs in a sealed container so that other people or animals cannot eat them.
- Alternatively, return the eggs to the place of purchase for a full refund.
- Wash and sanitize any surfaces, drawers, or containers that may have come into contact with the eggs or their packaging.
Sunrise Valley Farms has issued a statement expressing its “deep regret” over the incident and pledging full cooperation with the FDA’s investigation. The company has temporarily halted production at the implicated facility pending a thorough review and sanitation process. The investigation into the root cause of the contamination on the farm is ongoing.
Old World Creamery Issues Urgent Cheese Recall for Listeria Contamination Across Multiple States
