More than 6 million eggs produced by the Black Sheep Egg Company have been recalled for potential salmonella contamination. The eggs should not be eaten due to serious risk of harm. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originally issued a recall for the eggs in September, and raised it to a Class I on October 14, the highest level of threat when there’s reasonable probability a product can “cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
The FDA inspected and collected environmental samples from the company’s processing facility in September. More than 40 of those samples tested positive for salmonella, including seven strains of the bacteria. The recall includes 522,915 dozen eggs produced by Black Sheep Egg Company of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, and distributed between July 9 and September 17 to retail and wholesale locations in Arkansas and Missouri, as well as broker locations in Texas, California, Indiana, and Mississippi. It’s possible that these companies repackaged the distributed eggs.
“Out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our consumers in mind, we made the proactive decision to initiate a voluntary recall on certain lots of eggs,” the Black Sheep Egg Company said on its Facebook page. “This reflects our company’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality products to our customers.”
Salmonella is a bacteria that can contaminate foods and lead to salmonellosis, an infection that causes watery diarrhea, nausea, headache, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Symptoms can begin from six hours to six days after exposure, and illness can last for four to seven days. Children younger than 5, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems can experience more severe symptoms.
Products affected in the egg recall include the following:
- Free Range Grade A Large Brown Eggs, 12-count cartons: 23,625 dozen
- Free Range Grade A Large Brown Eggs, 18-count cartons: 16,245 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Large Brown Eggs, loose pack in boxes, 15 dozen per box: 20,625 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Medium Brown Eggs, loose pack in boxes, 15 dozen per box: 14,220 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Large Brown Eggs, loose open skid, 900 dozen per pallet: 288,900 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Medium Brown Eggs, loose open skid, 900 dozen per pallet: 58,500 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Large White Eggs, loose open skid, 900 dozen per pallet: 7,200 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Medium White Eggs, loose open skid, 900 dozen per pallet: 46,800 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Large White Eggs, 12-count cartons, 15 dozen per box: 23,400 dozen
- Free Range Grade AA Medium White Eggs, 18-count cartons, 15 dozen per box: 23,400 dozen
The packages list best-by dates of 8/22/2025 through 10/31/2025 on the egg carton label and UPC codes 860010568507 and 860010568538.
The FDA urges stores and restaurants not to sell or use the eggs and consumers to make sure they don’t have the product. “Check your refrigerators for these products and throw them away or return to place of purchase,” the FDA recall states. “If you stored the eggs without the original packaging and can’t tell if it is part of this recall, throw them away.”
Additionally, the FDA is urging anyone who has the eggs to sanitize any surfaces or containers the eggs may have come in contact with to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
The FDA says the eggs have not caused an ongoing outbreak, but they are still not safe to eat or cook with. If you or anyone in your family is experiencing symptoms of salmonella after eating the eggs, contact your medical provider. The recall is ongoing and more products may be added.
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