A Salmonella outbreak across seven U.S. states has prompted the recall of 1.7 million cage-free and organic eggs, raising questions about the operational vulnerabilities in even the most carefully marketed tiers of animal-based food products.

The affected eggs, sold at major retailers like Walmart and Safeway, were distributed by August Egg Company between February 3 and May 15. According to the CDC, 79 individuals have been sickened and 21 hospitalized so far, though the true number of cases may be higher. No deaths have been reported.

The story, first brought to broader attention by NBC News, notes that the recall includes brown eggs with sell-by dates ranging from March 4 to June 19, shipped to retailers across nine states, from California to Illinois.

To its credit, August Egg Company has acted quickly, redirecting eggs to a pasteurization facility and launching an internal food safety audit. In a public statement, the company emphasized its commitment to corrective action and long-term safeguards to prevent recurrence.

From an animal health economics standpoint, this situation reflects the fragility of consumer trust and the economic risk profile of premium product lines. Even in systems designed for higher welfare and value—such as organic and cage-free—the margin for error is slim when it comes to foodborne pathogens like Salmonella, which is responsible for over 1.3 million illnesses annually in the U.S. alone.