7 Major Egg Recalls Of 2025: Brands, Codes, And What To Do Now To Stay Safe
The United States has experienced a significant wave of egg recalls throughout 2025, with multiple brands and millions of eggs pulled from shelves due to confirmed or potential Salmonella contamination. As of December 19, 2025, the most recent and alarming recall involves Vega Farms-branded in-shell eggs, which have been linked to a multi-state *Salmonella* outbreak that has sickened dozens of people, primarily in California. This follows a massive Class I recall in October involving over 6 million eggs from the Black Sheep Egg Company, underscoring the critical need for consumers to check their refrigerators immediately and understand the necessary safety protocols.
This comprehensive guide compiles the latest, most critical information on the 2025 egg recall events, providing you with a definitive list of affected products, the specific codes you must look for on your egg cartons, and the step-by-step instructions on how to secure a refund and protect your family from a serious foodborne illness. The scale and frequency of these recalls—from major producers like Country Eggs, LLC to store brands like O Organics and Marketside—demand immediate attention and proactive consumer vigilance.
The 2025 Egg Recall Crisis: A List of Affected Brands and Dates
The year 2025 saw several large-scale recalls, primarily initiated by the FDA and CDC following outbreak investigations. These Class I recalls—the most serious type, involving a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death—require consumers to act quickly. The common thread in all these incidents is the presence of Salmonella enteritidis, a bacteria that can cause severe illness, especially in vulnerable populations.
Key Recalls and Affected Products (Latest to Earliest)
- Vega Farms (December 2025): Vega Farms, Inc. voluntarily recalled Vega Farms-branded in-shell eggs. This California-based recall is linked to at least 63 reported *Salmonella*-related illnesses. Consumers should look for the Vega Farms brand, specifically in California and surrounding regions.
- Black Sheep Egg Company (October 2025): A massive, expanded Class I recall involved over 6 million eggs produced by Black Sheep Egg Company. The recall was nationwide due to the risk of *Salmonella* contamination. Specific UPC codes, such as 860010568507 and 860010568538, were cited in the FDA's advisory.
- Kenz Henz (October 2025): Kenz Henz of Santa Fe, TX, recalled 12-count packages of their "Grade AA Large Pasture Raised eggs." This action was a secondary recall, as the eggs were received from a supplier involved in the larger outbreak.
- Country Eggs, LLC (August 2025): This significant recall involved large brown cage-free "sunshine yolks" or "omega-3 golden yolks" eggs. The affected sell-by dates were extensive, ranging from July 1, 2025, through September 18, 2025, with specific codes on the carton.
- August Egg Company (August/September 2025): This recall involved brown cage-free and brown certified organic eggs sold at major retailers, including Walmart locations in Washington State and other grocers.
- Multi-Brand Contamination (Various Dates 2025): The contamination affected eggs sold under several major brand and store names, often sourced from the same facilities involved in the larger August/September outbreaks. Affected brands include:
- Clover
- First Street
- Nulaid
- O Organics
- Marketside (Walmart brand)
- Raleys
- Western Family
How to Check Your Carton: The Essential Codes You Must Know
Identifying a recalled egg carton requires you to look beyond the brand name and focus on two crucial pieces of information stamped on the end of the carton: the Plant Code and the Julian Date. These codes tell you exactly where and when the eggs were packed, which is the only reliable way to confirm if your product is part of an active recall.
The Plant Code (P-Code or CA-Code)
The Plant Code is a number preceded by a "P" (for USDA-inspected plants) or a state abbreviation (like "CA" for California). This code identifies the specific facility where the eggs were processed. If an outbreak is traced to a particular facility, all eggs from that Plant Code within a certain date range are recalled.
For example, earlier 2025 recalls cited Plant Code numbers like P-6562 or CA-5330. If your carton has one of the affected brands and matches the Plant Code, your eggs are recalled.
The Julian Date (The 3-Digit Code)
The Julian Date is a three-digit number that represents the day of the year the eggs were packed. It ranges from 001 (January 1st) to 365 (December 31st). This is a critical marker for food safety investigations.
To check for a recall, you must match the Plant Code with the specific range of Julian Dates cited in the FDA or CDC advisory. For instance, a recall might specify eggs with a Plant Code of P-XXXX and a Julian Date between "032" (February 1st) and "126" (May 6th). If your date falls within that range, the eggs are recalled.
The UPC Code
In some cases, especially with major manufacturer recalls like the Black Sheep Egg Company, the UPC (Universal Product Code) printed on the carton is also used for identification. Always check the official FDA recall announcement for the specific UPC codes listed, as this is the most direct identifier for a specific product line.
Immediate Action: What to Do If You Have Recalled Eggs
If you have identified that your eggs are part of an active recall, the most important step is to avoid consumption. Consuming contaminated eggs, even if fully cooked, carries a high risk of contracting Salmonellosis.
Do Not Eat Them—Dispose or Return
The FDA and CDC are crystal clear on the required action: Do not eat the recalled eggs.
- Throw Them Away: The safest and fastest course of action is to dispose of the eggs immediately. Place them in a sealed bag before putting them in the trash to prevent any further contamination.
- Return for a Refund: You can return the recalled eggs to the place of purchase for a full refund. Many retailers will issue a refund even without the original receipt, especially for a documented Class I recall.
- Clean Your Refrigerator: After removing the eggs, it is crucial to clean and sanitize any surfaces the eggs may have touched, including the egg compartment, shelves, and any utensils used. This prevents cross-contamination with other foods.
Recognizing Symptoms of Salmonellosis
Salmonella infection, or Salmonellosis, typically causes symptoms that begin a short time after consuming the contaminated product. While most people recover without treatment, the illness can be severe, especially for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Common Symptoms and Onset
- Onset: Symptoms usually start within 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
- Primary Symptoms: Diarrhea (often severe), abdominal cramps, fever, and vomiting.
- Duration: The illness typically lasts for 4 to 7 days.
If you or a family member develop these symptoms after consuming eggs, contact a healthcare provider immediately. While rare, the infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and other parts of the body, leading to more serious, life-threatening conditions. Food safety agencies, including the USDA and CDC, continue to monitor outbreaks and issue alerts to protect the public from these recurring risks.
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