A salmonella outbreak tied to contaminated eggs has sickened at least 79 people and led to the hospitalization of 21 individuals, according to health officials in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has traced the outbreak to brown organic and brown cage-free eggs distributed by the August Egg Company, prompting a major recall involving over 1.7 million eggs.

The affected eggs were distributed between February and May by the Hilmar, California-based company and were sold across nine states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming, the Associated Press reported.

In a notice issued on June 6, the FDA confirmed the recall, which comes as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified the same strain of salmonella in people from seven of the impacted states.

Salmonella infection, a common cause of foodborne illness, can result in symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. While most healthy individuals recover within a week, the illness can be severe or even life-threatening for infants, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Authorities are urging consumers to check egg cartons for specific plant codes or Julian dates, details of which are available on the official websites of the FDA and CDC. Consumers in possession of the recalled eggs are advised to either discard them or return them to the place of purchase. Additionally, it is important to thoroughly clean and disinfect any kitchen surfaces, utensils, or containers that may have come into contact with the eggs to prevent further contamination.

The recall underscores the importance of food safety and swift public health response in containing foodborne outbreaks and protecting vulnerable populations.