Brown cage-free eggs sitting in California and Nevada refrigerators could be making people sick, prompting Country Eggs to recall its Sunshine Yolks brand after 95 salmonella cases spread across 14 states. The outbreak has hospitalized 18 people, though no deaths have been reported, shattering any illusions that premium cage-free products are immune to contamination risks.
Specific Brands and Products Affected
Country Eggs, LLC recalled large brown cage-free “Sunshine Yolks” and “Omega-3 Golden Yolks” on August 27, after federal investigators linked the eggs to the outbreak. The affected products were sold under three brand names—Nagatoshi Produce, Misuho, and Nijiya Markets—with carton code “CA 7695” and sell-by dates ranging from July 1 through September 18, 2025.
These eggs hit shelves across 12 counties, primarily targeting health-conscious shoppers who pay premium prices for cage-free products. The recall specifically affects large brown eggs distributed throughout California and Nevada’s specialty grocery networks.
What Consumers Should Do Now
- Don’t eat these eggs—period
- Return them to the store for a full refund or dispose of them safely
- Wash any surfaces, utensils, or containers that touched the eggs with hot, soapy water
Watch for symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, which typically appear six hours to six days after exposure, according to the CDC. Children under 5, adults over 65, and anyone with compromised immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness requiring medical attention.
If you develop prolonged or severe symptoms, seek medical care immediately. Most people recover without treatment within a week.
Investigation Continues as Production Halts
The FDA and CDC continue investigating the contamination source while Country Eggs has suspended all production pending results. “The potential for contamination was noted after being brought to our attention by the FDA and other authorities that our product may contain the presence of salmonella,” according to statements from the company.
The outbreak reveals how quickly foodborne illness can spread through specialty food networks, reminding consumers that cage-free labels don’t guarantee safety—just different housing conditions for the chickens.
