Arizona Health Officials Urge Caution After Multistate Salmonella Egg Recall
Arizona residents have been caught up in a nationwide Salmonella enteritidis outbreak linked to a June 6 recall of nearly 1.7 million dozen eggs, prompting a strong public health warning from state authorities to discard affected eggs immediately.
Scope of the Egg Recall and Illnesses Reported
On June 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Department of Agriculture announced a recall of 1.7 million dozen cage‑free and organic brown eggs produced by California’s August Egg Company and sold across at least nine states—Arizona included apnews.com+6allrecipes.com+6the-sun.com+6foodandwine.com. The recalled eggs carry plant codes P‑6562 or CA5330 and Julian dates 32–126, with sell‑by dates running from March 4 to June 19, 2025 theguardian.com+7allrecipes.com+7eatingwell.com+7.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 79 linked illnesses nationwide, with 21 hospitalizations and at least 3–4 Arizona cases confirmed maricopacountyattorney.org+14azfamily.com+14en.wikipedia.org+14. No deaths have been reported so far, but vulnerable individuals—children, older adults, those with weakened immunity—are at highest risk.
How Salmonella Is Spreading Through Eggs
Salmonella bacteria can enter eggs through infected hens or contaminated equipment and multiply in undercooked or raw preparations. Common symptoms—diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea—typically appear 6 hours to 6 days after ingestion and can persist for 4–7 days, sometimes necessitating hospitalization due to dehydration houstonchronicle.com+2azfamily.com+2cdc.gov+2houstonchronicle.com+3eatingwell.com+3azfamily.com+3.
Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) advises consumers to:
- Discard or return any eggs matching the recall criteria.
- Clean surfaces and containers that came into contact with the eggs.
- Seek medical attention if symptoms arise, especially for at-risk individuals cdc.gov+15azfamily.com+15azdhs.com+15.
Local Cases in Arizona and Response
KTVK/KPHO reported 3–4 illnesses linked to these recalled eggs in Arizona, with no confirmed hospitalizations locally, though nationwide counts include 21 hospital cases the-sun.com+5azfamily.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5. Health officials are advising residents to check their households immediately.
Grocery chains like Walmart, Safeway, and local chains received shipments—including some sold in Maricopa, Pima, and Cochise counties eatingwell.com+2allrecipes.com+2simplyrecipes.com+2. Consumers are urged to inspect cartons for plant codes and dates before consuming or preparing eggs.
National Scope and Ongoing Investigation
The recall is part of a sprawling outbreak affecting seven states, traced by the CDC to common egg brands bearing the same plant codes and packaging dates foodandwine.com+3simplyrecipes.com+3eatingwell.com+3theguardian.com+7apnews.com+7eatingwell.com+7. While illnesses began as early as late February, most cases surfaced between February 24 and May 17 azdhs.gov+15cdc.gov+15the-sun.com+15.
August Egg Company has halted distribution of affected lots and is investigating hygiene protocols at its California processing facilities. Federal agencies continue collecting epidemiologic and laboratory data to identify all transmission points linkedin.com+9cdc.gov+9the-sun.com+9.
Preventing Salmonella at Home
Health officials recommend the following precautions:
- Always cook eggs until both yolks and whites are firm.
- Avoid consuming raw or undercooked egg-containing products, like homemade dressings or Hollandaise sauce.
- Clean utensils, counters, and surfaces after contact with raw eggs.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling eggs cdc.gov+2the-sun.com+2foodandwine.com+2.
What to Do if You’re Sick or Find Contaminated Eggs
If you become ill, contact your doctor, especially if you experience persistent diarrhea or fever. Report confirmed cases to local health departments to help track the outbreak.
For recalls, return affected eggs to the point of purchase for a full refund. ADHS recommends using the CDC and FDA websites—and checking local news channels—for updates on the recall list.
Key Takeaways for Arizona Households
- Nearly 1.7 million dozen eggs recalled—check plant codes P‑6562 and CA5330 and dates 32–126.
- 79 illnesses reported, including 3–4 in Arizona; 21 hospitalizations nationwide.
- Discard or return recalled eggs; clean surfaces and avoid undercooked egg products.
- Watch for symptoms and seek medical care if needed.
Arizona residents should treat this recall seriously. With widespread distribution and multiple illnesses linked to the outbreak, prompt action in households can prevent further cases. Stay alert for updates from ADHS, and practice strict food safety when handling eggs.