Midwest Poultry Recalls 1.6 Million Dozen Eggs Over Salmonella Risk

Q: Cage-free eggs are often seen as safer. What caused this massive Salmonella contamination at two Texas farms?

The exact cause has not been publicly identified. What Midwest Poultry Services has said is that *Salmonella Enteritidis* was detected through proactive environmental monitoring and testing at two Texas farms, prompting the recall before any illnesses were reported. That matters because “cage-free” does not mean “Salmonella-proof.” Cage-free describes how hens are housed, not whether a farm is free of pathogens. Salmonella can contaminate eggs either from infected hens before the shell forms or after laying through contact with manure, dust, equipment, feed, water, rodents, insects, or workers’ boots and tools if biosecurity breaks down. The broader evidence is mixed on cage-free systems. Some studies have found lower contamination risk than conventional caged systems, but experts also note that any egg operation can have a Salmonella problem if environmental controls fail. In large flocks, the bacteria can spread quickly through shared housing areas, nesting spaces, and handling equipment. So, based on the information released so far, the likely explanation is not that the eggs were cage-free, but that the company’s testing found environmental Salmonella contamination at those two facilities. The company has not disclosed a root-cause finding such as contaminated feed, water, rodents, or a sanitation lapse, and it has stopped distributing fresh eggs from the affected Texas farms while the issue is addressed.

3 articles · Updated · KATV · Jul 23

Nearly 1.6 million dozen white shell and brown cage-free eggs are being pulled after Midwest Poultry Services flagged possible Salmonella contamination.
The recalled eggs were produced on Texas farms and carry best-by or sell-by dates from July 20 to Aug. 17, 2026.
Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana received the eggs through retail and food-service channels, with Kroger and Brookshire among the named retailers and distribution also reaching New Mexico and Mississippi.
No illnesses have been reported, but Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea and abdominal pain, with higher risks for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.