20 Million Eggs Recalled — Could Prices Spike Again? Here's What We Know

Yahoo

24-06-2025

Organic and cage-free eggs have been recalled after a salmonella outbreak sickened dozens — but how does this land when egg prices are still sky-high and shoppers are only just starting to see relief?
Here's what we know.
Earlier this month, August Egg Company recalled 1.7 million dozen brown eggs, roughly 20 million total, distributed across nine states after a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis sickened at least 79 people. The affected eggs, labeled as organic and cage-free, were sold at major retailers, including Walmart, Safeway, Ralphs, Raley's, and Smart & Final.
The recall includes cartons marked with plant codes P-6562 or CA5330. Sell-by dates range from March 4 to June 4, 2025, for most retailers and up to June 19, 2025, for Walmart locations. So far, 21 hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have been confirmed.
In response, August Egg Company has paused all shell egg sales from its Hilmar, California plant and is diverting product to pasteurization, a process that kills harmful bacteria before the eggs reach consumers.
This isn't just about one recall — it's hitting the egg industry at a moment of ongoing tension.
The U.S. lost more than 36 million hens this year due to avian flu outbreaks.
New cage-free laws are now in effect in states including Colorado, Michigan, Utah, and Arizona, joining early adopters like California and Massachusetts.
These shifts limit how quickly producers can adapt when supply is disrupted — especially for specialty eggs likethe ones under recall.
Meanwhile, egg prices are still elevated. According to the May Consumer Price Index data, prices have eased slightly since their March and April peaks but remain over 40% higher year-over-year. The dip from April to May was real — but not enough to bring full relief. And now, with one major supplier offline, the market is reacting.
The USDA's June 20 Egg Markets Overview shows:
Loose national egg prices rose to $2.73/dozen
California cage-free wholesale prices jumped to $3.09/dozen
Retail ad prices for conventional eggs surged to $3.60/dozen, up 44% from the week prior
While no national price spike has been directly linked to the recall, this kind of disruption can tilt an already fragile balance — especially if consumers begin panic-buying or stockpiling.
The FDA's investigation is ongoing, and additional updates may follow as the agency continues to monitor the outbreak and track affected shipments. August Egg Company says the pasteurization shift has been in place for over a month, and an internal review is underway.
Meanwhile, processors are importing eggs to help stabilize supply, and retailers are adjusting ad strategies as contract pricing shifts. Inventory for Large shell eggs is down 6%, and cage-free stock dropped 7.5% over the past ad cycle. Add in tight production due to flock losses, and the next few weeks will be key in determining whether prices hold or climb.
Check your eggs: Look for plant codes P-6562 or CA5330 and Julian dates 032–126. You can view the full list of affected brands here.
Dispose or return: If your carton matches the recall, toss it or return it to the store for a refund.
Stay alert: Sign up for FDA food safety notifications or check your grocery app's recall section if you shop digitally.
This isn't just a food safety alert — it's a reminder that the egg market is still on edge. Keep an eye on your fridge, your receipts, and the fine print. Even a single cracked link in the supply chain can ripple farther than expected.
ICYMI: Catch up on the first two stories in this series:
Eggs recalled in 9 states for salmonella risk — what to know
Egg recall grows to 1.7 million dozen after salmonella outbreak — FDA expands investigation