FDA Egg Recall: What You Need to Know in 2025

When it comes to food safety, nothing alarms consumers more than hearing about an FDA egg recall. Eggs are a staple in American households, yet they can sometimes carry serious risks like salmonella. If you’ve been wondering what brand of eggs are being recalled because of salmonella, or even should I throw away my Costco eggs, you’re not alone. This article breaks down the recent FDA egg recall, explains how to protect your family, and answers the most common questions surrounding the topic.

Understanding the FDA Egg Recall

What is the FDA egg recall and why does it happen?

An FDA egg recall happens when eggs sold in the U.S. market are found to pose a potential health risk to consumers. Most often, these recalls are due to salmonella contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) routinely inspects egg production facilities and conducts random tests on eggs distributed across the country. If certain batches are found contaminated, the FDA issues an official recall notice, asking retailers and consumers to remove those eggs from circulation and avoid consumption.

Recalls are necessary because salmonella can cause severe illness, particularly in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms like fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps can last for days, sometimes requiring hospitalization. To minimize risk, the FDA works with egg producers to identify affected brands, trace shipments, and notify the public as quickly as possible.

History of major egg recalls in the U.S.

The United States has seen several notable egg recalls in the past decade. One of the largest occurred in 2010, when over 500 million eggs were recalled from major farms in Iowa due to salmonella enteritidis. Smaller recalls have occurred almost every year since, affecting both national brands and regional distributors. These events have led to tighter FDA regulations on egg farms, improved hygiene standards, and mandatory salmonella testing in some facilities.

In 2025, the FDA issued another large-scale egg recall after testing detected contamination in multiple brands sold in big-box retailers and grocery chains nationwide. The details of which brands and how to identify them are covered in the next section, so keep reading.

What Brand of Eggs Are Being Recalled Because of Salmonella?

Current brands impacted by the 2025 recall

In its 2025 announcement, the FDA listed several egg brands distributed nationwide that tested positive for salmonella contamination. The primary brands affected include Kirkland Signature, Farm Fresh Select, and Midwest Gold Eggs. These eggs were sold at major retailers such as Costco, Walmart, and Kroger. Some regional brands, like Sunny Valley Farms in the Midwest and Golden Hen in the Northeast, were also named in the recall notice.

Each of these brands had specific lot numbers and expiration dates tied to the recall. You can find the full list of affected lot numbers directly on the FDA’s Egg Recall 2025 page for easy reference. It’s crucial to check the packaging of any eggs you have at home to see if they match the recalled lots.

How to identify recalled egg cartons at home

To determine if your eggs are part of the recall, look closely at the printed codes on the side or end of your egg carton. Recalled eggs often include:

• A plant number (P-number): Identifies the production facility. Example: P-1057.
• A Julian date: A three-digit number representing the day of the year the eggs were packed. Example: 045 for February 14.

For instance, if your carton shows P-1057 045, and that plant/date combination appears on the FDA’s recall list, you should not consume the eggs. Return them to the store for a refund or discard them immediately. Do not attempt to wash or cook contaminated eggs, as salmonella bacteria can still pose a risk even if cooked improperly.

Are Eggs Safe to Eat Now?

What the FDA says about the safety of eggs post-recall

After issuing the 2025 egg recall, the FDA reassured the public that eggs currently being distributed — outside the specific recalled lots — are safe to eat. The contaminated batches were traced and removed from most major retailers within days of the notice. According to the FDA egg recall from unaffected plants continue to meet federal safety standards and are tested regularly for pathogens like salmonella.

However, the FDA egg recall also emphasizes the importance of consumer vigilance. Even when eggs are not part of a recall, they can still occasionally harbor bacteria if mishandled during production, transport, or storage. As a precaution, always refrigerate eggs promptly, cook them thoroughly, and avoid consuming raw or undercooked eggs.

Tips for safely consuming eggs in your kitchen

Even though the FDA egg recall has removed the affected eggs from circulation, it’s smart to practice good kitchen hygiene to lower your risk of salmonella exposure. Here are some simple but critical tips:

• Keep eggs refrigerated at or below 40°F.
• Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after handling raw eggs.
• Cook eggs until yolks and whites are firm. Scrambled eggs should not be runny.
• Use pasteurized eggs if preparing recipes that call for raw or undercooked eggs, like homemade mayonnaise or hollandaise sauce.
• Don’t consume eggs past their expiration date — freshness matters.

Salmonella and Eggs: The Real Risk

What percentage of store-bought eggs have salmonella?

Many people are surprised to learn that not all eggs carry salmonella — in fact, the risk is relatively low. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 20,000 eggs in the U.S. is contaminated with salmonella enteritidis. That works out to about 0.005% of store-bought eggs. While this may sound negligible, the sheer volume of eggs consumed in the U.S. means that thousands of people still get sick from contaminated eggs each year.

The risk is even higher if eggs are not handled or cooked properly at home. Cross-contamination from surfaces, undercooking eggs, or leaving them unrefrigerated can all increase the chance of illness. That’s why the FDA egg recall continues to monitor egg producers and enforce strict production rules.

Why are American eggs higher risk for salmonella compared to other countries?

You may have heard that eggs in the U.S. are more prone to salmonella than eggs in countries like the U.K. or Japan — and it’s true. One major reason is the difference in how eggs are processed and stored.

In the U.S., eggs are washed and sanitized before packaging, which removes a natural protective cuticle from the shell. While this helps remove surface bacteria, it also makes the eggs more porous and susceptible to contamination later. Therefore, refrigeration is required throughout the supply chain.

In contrast, European and Japanese producers vaccinate their laying hens against salmonella and leave the protective cuticle intact, allowing eggs to be stored safely at room temperature for longer. These practices help lower salmonella risk significantly.

Should You Throw Away Your Costco or Kirkland Eggs?

Guidance for Costco customers: Should I throw away my Costco eggs?

One of the most common questions following the FDA egg recall is: Should I throw away my Costco eggs? The short answer is: check your carton first.

Not all Costco eggs are affected by the recall. The FDA egg recall provided specific plant numbers and Julian dates for the contaminated batches, and only those cartons need to be discarded or returned. Before deciding, locate the printed plant code and date on your carton. If your eggs match one of the recalled lot numbers, do not consume them — return them to Costco for a full refund or dispose of them safely.

If your eggs are not part of the listed lot numbers, they are considered safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. To be cautious, always store them in the refrigerator and cook thoroughly.

Do Kirkland eggs have salmonella?

Since Kirkland Signature is Costco’s house brand, many customers are concerned whether all Kirkland eggs have salmonella. The FDA egg recall does include some Kirkland eggs — but only specific batches produced at one plant. Kirkland eggs from unaffected facilities remain safe and meet FDA egg recall standards.

Kirkland eggs come from several different farms around the country, so contamination is isolated to particular lots. Again, verify your carton’s plant number and Julian date against the FDA egg recall notice to determine if your eggs are impacted. If in doubt, err on the side of caution and avoid eating them.

Is It Safe to Eat Eggs After the Recall?

Best practices after a recall notice

After an FDA egg recall, many consumers feel uneasy about eating eggs at all. The good news is that, once contaminated batches are removed from shelves, eggs that remain on sale are generally safe to eat — provided you handle them properly. The FDA egg recall works quickly with producers and retailers to contain the contamination, meaning the risk diminishes significantly within days of the recall notice.

Here are best practices you should follow after a recall to protect yourself and your family:

• Immediately check all egg cartons at home against the official FDA egg recall list.
• Discard or return any cartons that match the recalled plant numbers and dates.
• Sanitize refrigerator shelves or drawers where eggs were stored.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling recalled eggs or their packaging.
• Buy new eggs only from trusted retailers who have removed recalled stock.

How to handle eggs and avoid contamination

Even when the recall is over, food safety remains crucial. Salmonella can still be present in raw eggs, so practicing safe handling and preparation is essential. Here are simple steps you can take:

• Keep eggs cold: Store eggs at or below 40°F at all times.
• Cook completely: Ensure yolks and whites are fully set before eating.
• Avoid cross-contamination: Use separate utensils for raw and cooked foods.
• Use pasteurized eggs: Especially important if making dishes like Caesar dressing, mousse, or eggnog that traditionally use raw eggs.

Did the FDA Say Eggs Are Healthy?

The FDA’s latest stance on the health benefits of eggs

Amid concerns about salmonella and frequent recalls, many consumers wonder: Are eggs still healthy to eat? According to the FDA egg recall, the answer is yes — as long as they’re handled and cooked properly. Eggs are packed with high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and vital nutrients like vitamin D, choline, and selenium, making them a valuable part of a balanced diet.

The FDA egg recall has repeatedly stated that the nutritional benefits of eggs outweigh the risks when proper food safety practices are followed. Eating one or two eggs daily fits within dietary guidelines for most Americans.

However, the FDA egg recall also advises consumers to limit dietary cholesterol if they have certain health conditions, such as heart disease. A whole egg contains about 185 milligrams of cholesterol, which should be factored into your overall daily intake.

Balancing risk and nutrition in your diet

Like most foods, eggs come with both benefits and risks. The key is moderation and awareness. If you choose pasteurized eggs and follow good kitchen hygiene, you can enjoy their nutritional perks while minimizing your exposure to harmful bacteria.

Some practical tips for striking the right balance:

• Choose eggs from reputable suppliers who comply with FDA egg recall safety standards.
• Consider pasteurized eggs if you eat them soft-cooked or raw.
• Incorporate a variety of other protein sources like beans, fish, and lean meats into your diet.

How to Stay Updated on FDA Food Recalls

Where to check for real-time FDA recall alerts

Staying informed about food recalls is one of the best ways to protect your family’s health. The FDA maintains a public database of all active recalls, updated daily. You can visit their official site’s recall alerts page to see the most recent notices, including those for eggs, produce, meat, and packaged goods.

In addition, many grocery chains like Costco, Kroger, and Walmart also post recall notices in-store and on their websites. Local health departments and state agencies often share alerts as well. Checking these resources regularly ensures you’re aware of any risks as soon as they’re announced.

How to sign up for FDA notifications and protect your family

To make monitoring easier, the FDA egg recall offers an email subscription service. By signing up, you’ll get direct notifications of recalls in your inbox. You can customize your subscription based on product type — eggs, dairy, seafood, etc. — and choose daily or weekly digests.

Here’s how to sign up:

• Visit the FDA egg recall subscription page.
• Enter your email and select the types of recalls you want to track.
• Confirm your subscription and adjust your preferences anytime.

You can also follow the FDA egg recall on social media, where they post immediate updates for widespread recalls. This real-time approach helps you take action quickly and keep your family safe.

Conclusion: What Consumers Should Do Next

Egg recalls like the 2025 FDA egg recall are an important reminder to stay vigilant about food safety. While hearing about salmonella contamination can be unsettling, following the FDA’s guidance helps keep your kitchen and family safe.

First, check all the eggs in your fridge against the official recall list and discard or return any affected cartons immediately. Then, clean and disinfect storage areas thoroughly. Going forward, always handle eggs properly-refrigerate promptly, avoid cross-contamination, and cook them completely.

Eggs remain one of the most nutritious and affordable staples in the American diet. By staying informed and practicing good food hygiene, you can continue to enjoy them with peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About the FDA Egg Recall