Salmonella outbreak linked to organic and cage-free eggs includes illnesses in Washington state
Jun 7, 2025, 12:09 PM | Updated: 12:26 pm
Brands that include "O Organics" and "Simple Truth" are among the organic and cage-free eggs being recalled due to a Salmonella outbreak that includes Washington state. (Photo: U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
(Photo: U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
A California producer of organic and cage-free brown eggs is recalling 1.7 million eggs after at least 79 people have become ill from Salmonella contamination.
The multi-state breakout of Salmonella includes Washington.
Authorities say 21 of the people sickened had to be treated at hospitals.
On Friday, the August Egg Company recalled varieties that include organic and cage-free brown eggs.
The eggs were sold under various brand names:
- Clover Organic
- First Street Cage Free
- Nulaid Brown
- O Organics
- Marketside Organic Cage Free
- Raley’s Cage Free
- Raley’s Organic Cage Free
- Simple Truth Cage Free
- Sun Harvest Organic Cage Free
- Sun Harvest Cage Free
- Sunnyside Cage Free
- Sunnyside Organic Cage Free
- Loose Brown Organic
- Loose Cage Free
The Plant Code Number on the products is either P-6562 or CA5330.
They were shipped in fiber or plastic cartons, with the codes printed on one side of the carton.
The company distributed the eggs to retailers in Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming.
The cartons of the recalled eggs have “sell by” dates from March 4 to June 19.
The “sell by” date and Product Code are located on the side of the egg cartons. (Photo: U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
The stores where they were shipped include Walmart, Safeway, Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Raley’s, Food 4 Less, and Ralph’s.
Some of the brands being recalled were sold in Washington state stores. (Photos: U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
The company released the following statement regarding the egg recall:
August Egg Company is not selling fresh shell eggs at this time. Our firm has voluntarily been diverting eggs to an egg-breaking plant for over 30 days, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any potential foodborne pathogens.
Consumers who may have eggs produced in this plant, as identified by the plant code on one side of the egg carton, should return it to their place of purchase for a full refund. Further questions may be directed to the company at 1-800-710-2554, between 9am and 5pm PT.
August Egg Company of Hilmar, CA is recalling 1,700,000 dozen brown cage free and brown certified organic eggs, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.”
The Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration, and public health officials in several states advise anyone who has the recalled eggs to throw them out or return them to the store.
Health officials also stated you should wash items and surfaces with hot, soapy water or a dishwasher if you think the eggs have come into contact with them.
Officials advise seeking care from a healthcare provider if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:
-
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
- Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving
- Bloody diarrhea
- So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration include infrequent urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up.
