A recall of millions of eggs due to possible salmonella contamination has been issued the highest risk warning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Black Sheep Egg Company, LLC, based in Arkansas, announced a voluntary recall for various egg types on September 19 due to the potential contamination. The FDA subsequently issued a Class I risk classification for the recall on October 14.
Newsweek contacted Black Sheep Egg Company LLC by phone for comment.
Why It Matters
A Class I risk classification—one of three—represents “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to the FDA.
Salmonella bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. The FDA said that illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours, and symptoms usually last between four and seven days.
Typical symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. People experiencing more severe infections may also suffer high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, rashes and blood in their urine.
Infections can become fatal on rare occasions, with about 450 people dying each year from salmonellosis, according to the FDA.
What To Know
The eggs impacted by the recall are the following:
- Free Range Grade A Large Brown Eggs, 12-count cartons—23,625 dozen—UPC code: 860010568507
- Free Range Grade A Large Brown Eggs, 18-count cartons—16,245 dozen—UPC code: 860010568538
- Free Range Grade AA Large Brown Eggs, loose pack in boxes, 15 dozen per box—20,625 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Medium Brown Eggs, loose pack in boxes, 15 dozen per box—14,220 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Large Brown Eggs, loose open skid, 900 dozen per pallet—288,900 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Medium Brown Eggs, loose open skid, 900 dozen per pallet—58,500 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Large White Eggs, loose open skid, 900 dozen per pallet—7,200 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Medium White Eggs, loose open skid, 900 dozen per pallet—46,800 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Large White Eggs, 12-count cartons, 15 dozen per box—23,400 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Medium White Eggs, 18-count cartons—15 dozen per box—23,400 dozen
The eggs have best-by dates from 8/22/2025 through 10/31/2025, which are written on the side of the cartons.
The FDA said that the eggs were distributed to retail and wholesale locations in Arkansas and Missouri between July 9 and September 17. They were also distributed to broker locations in Mississippi, Texas, California and Indiana.
The recall was initiated after the FDA held an inspection at the company’s egg processing facility, which revealed the presence of seven different strains of salmonella in 40 environmental samples, the agency said. Some of the strains are known to cause human illness.
The Black Sheep Egg Company contacted their direct customers in a bid to remove potentially contaminated eggs from the market, the FDA said.
What People Are Saying
The FDA said in its recall notice: “Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received these products, should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that the recalled eggs touched.
“Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling raw eggs and raw egg-containing foods.”
The Black Sheep Egg Company wrote on its Facebook page on October 2: “The FDA recently conducted routine environmental swabbing at our facility here at Black Sheep Egg Company. A small number of those swabs, taken from non-food contact surfaces such as floor drains, floor cracks, and drip pans, tested positive for salmonella. Many days later the FDA issued a statement about the findings which lacked thorough details causing some to question the safety of our eggs. Most importantly, all of our eggs tested negative for salmonella and showed no signs of contamination.
“Out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our consumers in mind, we made the proactive decision to initiate a voluntary recall on certain lots of eggs. This reflects our company’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality products to our customers. In addition to immediate corrective actions taken and completed, we also want to assure our consumers that our company has always had a strict comprehensive SOP plan in place with all of our producers which includes regular swabbing of products before they are brought to the processing facility. This ensures that only safe, high-quality eggs enter our facility.
“It is important to note that no eggs that have ever entered or exited our facility for consumers have tested positive for any diseases. We want to reassure our customers that our eggs are safe for consumption. We take food safety very seriously and remain committed to delivering the highest quality products. We are proud to serve our supportive community, and we thank you for trusting us as your local, farmer-owned egg company.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on salmonella states: “In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body.”
The FDA, on its website: “Children younger than 5, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe salmonellosis infections.
“Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards and countertops, and utensils that may have contacted contaminated foods; then sanitize them with a solution of one tablespoon of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of hot water; dry with a clean cloth or paper towel that has not been previously used.
“People with pets should take special care to avoid cross-contamination when preparing their pet’s food. Be sure to pick up and thoroughly wash food dishes as soon as pets are done eating, and prevent children, the elderly, and any other people with weak immune systems from handling or being exposed to the food or pets that have eaten potentially contaminated food.”
What Happens Next
The recall is listed as ongoing, according to the FDA. Consumers who purchased the affected eggs are urged to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.
