Happy Hens recalls eggs linked to Salmonella outbreak

September 11, 2026

Happy Hens has recalled three lots of in-shell organic eggs that may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The eggs have been linked to an outbreak of 23 Salmonella infections in San Diego County, California.

The following eggs, which were distributed to restaurants, grocery stores, and farmer’s markets in Southern California and the Central Coast and were available for sale directly at the farm in Ramona, California, have been included in the recall:

Happy Hens brand in-shell organic eggs, all grades and sizes:- (15-dozen cases (for foodservice), and 1-dozen carton, 18-count carton, 20-count flats, and 30-count flats (for consumer sale); Lot codes 223, 226, and 237; Sell by Sep 10, Sep 13, and Sep 24, respectively; Egg handler code CA-0677)

The California Department of Public Health has warned consumers not to eat the recalled eggs, and has published a list of retailers where the eggs were sold.

The backstory

On July 28, 2026, San Diego County announced that it was investigating 13 confirmed and probable cases of Salmonella infections, including 4 hospitalizations, linked to Ramona Family Naturals Market. Investigators believed the outbreak was connected to mayonnaise made with raw, unpasteurized eggs and used in chicken salads and sandwiches sold at the market. The Ramona market purchased its eggs locally.

On August 17, 2026, the County updated its information, revealing publicly for the first time that the raw eggs used to prepare the mayonnaise came from Happy Hens, a local poultry farm. By this time, the outbreak had grown to 21 cases, including 7 hospitalizations. Some of the outbreak cases appeared to be unrelated to the Ramona market that had prepared the mayonnaise cited in the initial report.

The same day on which the update was released, the FDA visited Happy Hens poultry farm to conduct what was described as a “routine inspection.” Their visit included collecting samples from the floor and perch rails/nest boxes of the hen houses where chicken excrement accumulates.

According to an update released by the County on September 4, 2026, two of the farm’s seven hen houses proved to be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis. The strain found in the hen houses matched the outbreak strain.

Happy Hens finally initiated its voluntary recall on September 8th, six weeks after the initial outbreak announcement.

What the public needs to know

The California Department of Public Health offers the following guidance:

Consumers should look for recalled eggs at home. If found, throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
Businesses should not sell or serve any of the recalled eggs.
Consumers and businesses should wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled eggs using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
Anyone finding these products for sale should call the CDPH Complaint Hotline at (800) 495-3232 or submit an electronic report to CDPH’s Food and Drug Branch.
Always handle and cook eggs properly to prevent illness from Salmonella:
- Cook eggs until both the yolk and white are firm.
- Cook dishes made with eggs to at least 160°F.
- Wash your hands and items that come in contact with raw eggs and eggshells with hot soapy water.
- Use only pasteurized eggs if they are to be consumed raw or undercooked.

If you thing you might have eaten any of the recalled eggs, and you begin to experience symptoms of a Salmonella infection, contact your healthcare provider.

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Recalls and Alerts: September 10-11, 2026

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Outbreak/Illness Investigations

UK (Update): The Health Security Agency reports that the total number of Salmonella Enteritidis cases in three separate outbreak clusters has risen to 549, including 2 deaths. The outbreaks are believed to be associated with imported eggs.

USA (Update): CDC announces the end of the Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico. As of September 11th, there were 12,883 confirmed outbreak cases, including 570 hospitalizations and 2 deaths. Cases were reported in 21 states. The FDA’s investigation into the source and root cause of the outbreak continues.

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United States

Food Safety Recall: Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC recalls Broccoli Sprouts (4 oz bags; Use by 9/07/26, 9/09/26, 9/11/26, 9/14/26, and 9/16/26; UPC 8 38796 00105 1) due to Salmonella contamination. The recalled sprouts were delivered to three distributors in WA between 8/24/26 and 9/2/26, and may have been further distributed and sold in retail stores to consumers in ID, MT, and WA.

Food Safety Recall: International Sprout Holding Inc. recalls International Specialty Supply Alfalfa (50 lb bags; ISS Lot # SAL2-24JB) due to possible Salmonella and E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall: El Eden Import Distributor Corp. recalls approximately 264 pounds of potato chip products containing chicharrón (pork cracklings) because they were produced in the Republic of Colombia, a country that is not eligible to export meat products to the United States.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Rossdown Natural Foods Ltd. recalls three Rossdown Farms & Natural Foods brand Meal Starters Black Garlic Chicken Breast products due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert: Le Marché Wakim (Gatineau, QC) recalls several varieties of sandwiches and salads due to undeclared wheat, mustard, and egg.

Food Safety Recall: Everest Traders Inc. recalls PK brand Roasted Lemon N’ Chilli Peanuts (65g; Batch #CN94; Best before 2027/JN/20; UPC 6 28998 001245) due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Marché Lamontagne et Fille inc. (Saint-Félicien, QC) recalls Kénogami cheese (All lots) because the label does not carry a warning that the cheese was made using raw (unpasteurized) milk.

Food Safety Alert: MAPAQ warns the public not to consume Tarte fruits / Fruit pies sold at Grand Marché Col-Fax inc. (Laval, QC) because the product was manufactured under insanitary conditions that could render the pies unsafe to consume.

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Ireland and United Kingdom

Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Trade recalls De Bonte Weide Biologische Kefir Van Rauwe Geitenmelk au lait cru de chevre / Raw goat milk kefir (500 ml; Best before 14/09/2026; Product of Netherlands) due to shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Waitrose recalls Waitrose Essential Pitted Black Olives (120g; Use by 13 September 2026,, 18 September 2026, and 27 September 2026) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Hong Kong and Singapore

No Alerts

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Alog Australian Wholesalers Pty Ltd recalls Red Hat Cookia Matcha Chocolate Flavor (80g; All best before dates up to and including 25 FEB 2027) due to undeclared egg, milk and soy.

Allergy Alert (Australia): KB Seafood Company Pty Ltd recalls JC Seafood Sweet Chilli & Lime Salmon Portions (275g; Best before 18.09.26) due to undeclared soy.

Allergy Alert (New Zealand): Emart Company Limited recalls Dongwon brand Fried Bean Curd (340g; All batches and dates) due to undeclared egg, milk, and sesame.

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Alfalfa seeds implicated in outbreak of E. coli and Salmonella recalled

Seeds were supplied to wholesale consignees in 16 states and internationally

September 10, 2026

International Sprout Holdings Inc. has recalled 43,799 lbs of alfalfa seeds that may be contaminated with E. coli and Salmonella. The recall notice appeared in today’s FDA Enforcement Reports update.

The seeds are described as “Alfalfa, Net Weight 50 lbs. bag, Product of USA, International Specialty Supply 1011 Volunteer Dr. Cookeville, TN 38506.” The recall extends to a single lot, identified as “ISS Lot # SAL2-24JB.”

International Sprout initiated the recall on August 23rd, notifying its customers by email.

Alfalfa seeds covered by this recall were supplied to wholesale consignees in California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Tahiti, and Venezuela. Neither the wholesale consignees nor the ultimate downstream recipients of the alfalfa seeds were named.

The backstory

On August 21, 2026, the CDC and FDA announced that they were investigating a 15-state outbreak of 55 confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (multiple serotypes include: O26:H11, O103:H25, O168:H8) and Salmonella Agona infections associated with consumption of alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts, LLC of Minneapolis, MN.

Forty-six people were infected with one of the E. coli outbreak strains, 7 people were infected with Salmonella, and 2 people were infected with both Salmonella and E. coli.

Four of the victims were hospitalized.

Everything Sprouts announced a recall of three varieties of sprout products the following day and expanded the recall to include a fourth variety one week later.

But according to an investigation update issued on August 31st, sprouts produced by Everthing Sprouts did not account for all of the outbreak illnesses. The FDA’s traceback investigation identified at least one additional sprout grower who received the same batch of alfalfa seeds that had been supplied to Everything Sprouts.

The FDA recommended that the seed supplier voluntarily recall the suspect batch of seeds and contact its downstream customers to initiate recalls of sprouts grown from the those seeds.

The FDA did not name either the seed supplier (who we now know was International Sprout Holdings, Inc) or the second sprout grower, and there have been no other publically announced recalls of alfalfa sprouts in connection with this outbreak.

What to do?

This investigation is ongoing, and there has been no update from either the CDC or the FDA since August 31st.

The FDA offers the following recommendations to consumers and businesses:

Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled sprouts.
Check your refrigerators and freezers for recalled sprouts and throw them away or return the product to the place of purchase. If you froze a product without the original packaging and can’t tell if it’s part of the affected sprouts, throw it away.
Consumers, restaurants, retailers, and foodservice customers who purchased or received recalled sprouts, including wholesale products, should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that they touched. Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Retailers that received recalled sprouts and repackaged them for individual sale should not sell them and should remove the products from the market.
Consult your health care provider immediately if you ate recalled sprouts and have any symptoms that resemble an STEC or Salmonella infection.