The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to consume, sell, or serve certain types of Black Sheep Egg Company eggs that were voluntarily recalled last month due to potential salmonella contamination.
The nationwide, voluntary recall, first initiated in late September, impacts more than 6 million eggs linked to the Arkansas-based producer, according to FDA enforcement reports.
According to the FDA, Black Sheep Egg Company distributed the recalled eggs to other companies in several states between July 9, 2025, and Sept. 17, 2025, and the companies "may have repackaged them."
On Oct. 16, one of those companies, Kenz Henz of Santa Fe, Texas, issued a voluntary recall of its 12-count packages of Grade AA Large Pasture Raised Eggs, which it received from Black Sheep Egg Company, citing the potential for salmonella contamination.
The Black Sheep Egg Company recall impacts 12-count and 18-count cartons of Black Sheep Egg Company-branded Free Range Large Grade A Brown Eggs with "best by" dates of Aug. 22, 2025, through Oct. 31, 2025, and UPC codes 860010568507 and 860010568538, according to an FDA notice.
"Best by" dates can be found on the side of the carton, the FDA said.
The recalled Kenz Henz brand eggs were sold in retail stores across Houston, Texas, according to the FDA. They were packaged in 12-count cartons marked with the UPC code 86949400030, a "Julian date of 241 (Aug 30) to 244 (Sep 2) and 246 (Sep 4) to 247 (Sep5)," and "best by" dates between Oct. 11-14, 2025, and Oct. 16-17, 2025, printed on the side of the carton.
ABC News has reached out to both companies for comment.
Salmonella are bacteria that cause approximately 1.35 million infections in the U.S. each year, with contaminated food as the source of most of these illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People can become infected with salmonella after swallowing the bacteria, or after touching animals, animal feces, and "places animals live and roam," the agency states.
According to the CDC, people who become infected with salmonella can experience a range of symptoms including abdominal pain, fever, headache, watery diarrhea that may also have blood or mucus, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Some people, particularly children under the age of 5, adults 65 and older, or those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria, and most people recover without treatment after four to seven days, the CDC states.
The recalls were initiated after the FDA conducted an inspection at Black Sheep Egg Company's egg-processing facility.
"Of the samples collected, 40 environmental samples were positive for Salmonella including seven different strains of Salmonella. Some of these strains are known to cause human illness," Kenz Henz said in its Oct. 16 recall announcement.
While the FDA has not confirmed whether the Black Sheep Egg Company's products are linked to any ongoing outbreaks, the agency urged caution and advised consumers, retailers, and distributors not to eat, sell or serve the recalled products.
The Arkansas-based company has contacted its direct customers "in an effort to remove potentially contaminated product from the market," the FDA said.
The FDA cautioned that some eggs may still be in consumers' homes. Additional products could be added to the agency's advisory as more information becomes available, it said.
In addition to Texas, Black Sheep Egg Company distributed its eggs to companies in Arkansas and Missouri, which may have repackaged and resold them under different labels, according to the FDA.
The agency is continuing to track the distribution network and will provide updates as needed, it stated.
In its recall announcement, Kenz Henz said affected customers should return any recalled eggs to the place of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions or concerns can contact the company at (409) 457-5934, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In response to a customer question on its official Facebook page, Kenz Henz said, "There is a voluntary recall we issued for 6 days of our production due to possible salmonella. Every egg before and after those days are still our high quality pasture raised eggs!"
In an Oct. 2 post on its Facebook page, Black Sheep Egg Company stated, "In response to several consumer and customer inquiries, we wish to issue this statement to confirm that our available eggs are safe to eat. We are grateful and appreciative for the loyalty and support of our customers."
"We take food safety very seriously and remain committed to delivering the highest quality products," the company added. "We are proud to serve our supportive community, and we thank you for trusting us as your local, farmer-owned egg company."
Consumers, restaurants, and retailers are advised to check their refrigerators for any recalled egg products and either dispose of them immediately or return them to the place of purchase, the FDA said in its notice.
All surfaces, utensils, and containers that may have come into contact with the eggs should be cleaned and sanitized, and hands should be washed thoroughly with hot, soapy water after handling raw eggs or foods containing eggs.
The FDA also urged the public to follow its safe egg-handling guidelines and to contact a health care provider if they experience symptoms consistent with salmonella infection after eating eggs.
