A breakfast classic is under fire because nearly 95 people across 14 states have fallen ill from a salmonella outbreak linked to eggs, with 18 ending up in hospital beds.

Country Eggs, based in Lucerne Valley, California, has recalled its large brown cage-free “sunshine yolks” and “omega-3 golden yolks” eggs. The recall covers products sold in California and Nevada between June 16 and July 9, with sell-by dates between July 1 and September 18.

Most of the cases have been reported in California, 73 of the 95 infections, but illnesses have popped up as far away as Minnesota and New York. According to the reports, the reported cases are likely “just the tip of the iceberg”. Why? Because only about one in 30 salmonella infections are officially diagnosed. Many people never see a doctor for food poisoning, and even fewer get tested. If 95 cases are confirmed, there are likely hundreds more lurking under the radar.

What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a harmful bacterium that enters the body through undercooked eggs or meat and can cause infection in the digestive system. Typical symptoms include diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps that can show up anywhere between six hours and six days after eating contaminated food. Most people recover in four to seven days, but severe cases can spiral into hospital visits, especially for young children, older adults, or people with weakened immune systems.

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Earlier this year, another egg-related salmonella outbreak sickened 134 people, hospitalised 38, and claimed one life. Eggs are clearly proving to be repeat offenders, which raises a bigger concern: are we doing enough to track foodborne illnesses?

Recently, federal health officials scaled back operations of FoodNet, the system that monitors outbreaks across 10 states. Instead of tracking eight bacteria, FoodNet is now down to just two — salmonella and a type of E. coli. Reports warn that this could make spotting emerging outbreaks slower and communication with the public more difficult.

Should You Bin Your Breakfast?

If you live in California or Nevada, double-check your egg cartons immediately. And if you have already tossed the packaging, you might never know if your eggs are part of the recall. Reports suggest that if you are in a high-risk group, under 5, over 65, or managing a condition like heart disease, it may be safer to just discard them. After all, it only takes a few bites to get sick.

A few smart moves can keep salmonella at bay:

• Cook it through: Runny yolks may look Instagram-worthy, but firm yolks are safer. Chicken should hit 165°F, beef and pork 145°F. Use a food thermometer if you are not sure.
• Wash up: Soap, hot water, and elbow grease every time you touch raw eggs or meat and on all surfaces that came in contact with them.
• Chill quickly: Refrigerate eggs and other perishables within two hours (one hour if it’s sweltering outside). Salmonella thrives in the heat.
• Consider pasteurised: Pasteurised eggs undergo a gentle heating process that kills bacteria without cooking the egg. If you can find them, they’re a safer bet for recipes that use raw eggs.

About 13 people, including a 3-year-old child, have died in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh in recent days, allegedly after consuming adulterated milk.

Dozens more are hospitalized and receiving treatment at hospitals in Rajamahendravaram, according to PTI news agency.

The cases first came to light on February 22, when several elderly residents were admitted to hospitals with symptoms such as anuria (absence of urine production), vomiting, abdominal pain, and kidney failure, requiring dialysis.

"The death toll in the suspected milk adulteration case in East Godavari district has reached 13, while seven persons are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Rajamahendravaram," health officials said.

Action Taken

Primary investigations indicated milk adulteration as the major reason behind the cases. High blood urea and serum creatinine levels in medical examinations of the victims also suggested possible toxic exposure.

The contaminated milk was reportedly supplied to nearly 106 families by Varalakshmi Milk Dairy in Narasapuram village of Korukonda mandal. Following the cases, the supply was immediately halted, the report said.

To curb further fatalities and hospitalization, officials have set up emergency medical camps in affected localities, with doctors and ambulances deployed round the clock.

The suspected milk vendor, Addala Ganeswararao (33), a resident of Narasapuram village, has also been taken into custody, and the associated dairy unit has been sealed.

The state Food Safety Department also plans to distribute pamphlets and booklets in educational institutions to raise awareness about identifying adulterated milk.

Recent Cases Of Contaminated Food In India

Earlier this month, the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (UPFSDA) issued 37 notices for non-compliance to sellers of substandard oil. The department also seized oil worth Rs. 6.43 crore.

Additionally, the FSSAI seized fake paneer near Noida, 1,400 kg of fake khoya in Jhansi, and 400 kg of expired ghee.

Health and Me had previously reported on FSSAI raids in Kanpur, where adulterated oil, rotten dates, and sweets were found. Bacteria were found in Amul milk packages, along with Mother Dairy and Country Delight.

Also read: FSSAI Reveals Key Tips To Keep Your Kitchen Healthy – How To Spot High Quality Vegetables?

FSSAI In Action

In February, the FSSAI launches a nationwide adulteration drive to curb adulteration in sweets, milk products, edible oils, and other festive foods.

The food regulator also led intensive inspections and on-the-spot testing through Food Safety on Wheels across States/UT.

Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh today informed the Lok Sabha about action taken by FSSAI against the violators during 2025-26.

"A total of 1,65,747 samples were analyzed by the FSSAI between 2025-26. Of these, 28,450 were found non-conforming, with 6492 unsafe and 19,073 in the sub-standard category," Singh told the Parliament.

During the period, a total of 2,493 samples were analyzed in Andhra Pradesh. Of these, 216 were found non-conforming, with 101 in the 'unsafe' and 114 'sub-standard' category.

On March 9, the United States issues a travel advisory against global polio and listed 32 countries, including some European countries. The International travel often comes with vaccine reminder and health checks to stay safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 travel advisory for certain international destinations with circulating poliovirus. The CDC has asked travelers to ensure they are up to date on their polio vaccines.

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The Destination list for global polio travel Advisory notice includes:

• Afghanistan
• Algeria
• Angola
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Côte d'Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Djibouti
• Ethiopia
• Gaza
• Germany
• Guinea
• Israel
• Laos
• Namibia
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Papua New Guinea
• Poland
• Senegal
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• United Kingdom
• Yemen

The CDC issued a 'Level 2' advisory, which means to 'practice enhanced precautions'.

The advisory suggests that children and adults should be up to date on their routine polio vaccines. Travelers are also asked to get an inactivated polio vaccine booster if they are going to the destination that has circulating poliovirus, or have completed their routine polio vaccine series; and have not already received one adult booster dose.

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If Polio Has Been Eliminated In The US, Then Why Do Travelers Need Advisory?

Dr Leana Wen, CNN wellness expert, who is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at the George Washington University said that while the US eliminated continuous transmission of polio in 1979, eradication within the country does not eliminate the risk when people travel to places where the virus is still circulating.

Speaking to CNN, Wen said that the risk for any individual traveler is usually low if they are fully vaccinated, however, from a population health perspective, it is important to take the precautionary steps. "Even a single imported case could lead to local spread in communities where vaccination coverage is low."

Types Of Notices Issued By CDC

The CDC issues four different types of notices based on the gravity of the disease spread.

Level 1 : Practice Usual Precautions

Practice usual precautions for this destination, as described in the Travel Health Notice and/or on the destination page.

Level 2: Practice Enhanced Precautions

Practice enhanced precautions for this destination. The Travel Health Notice describes additional precautions or defines a specific population at risk.

Level 3: Reconsider Nonessential Travel

Reconsider nonessential travel to this destination. The outbreak or event poses risk to travelers because limited precautions are available.

Level 4: Avoid All Travel

Avoid travel to this destination unless traveling for humanitarian aid or emergency response; there is an extreme health risk for travelers and no available precautions.

What Is Polio?

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that it is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in matter of hours. The virus is transmitted by person to person spread mainly through the fecal-oral route, or less frequently, by a common vehicle, which could be either from contaminated food or water. The virus also multiplies in the intestine.

The National Institute of Health (NIH), US, notes that the virus responsible for causing Polio belongs to the Picornaviridae family.

As per the WHO, the common Polio symptoms are:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Stiffness of the neck a
• Pain in the limbs

How Does Polio Spread?

Polio is mainly transmitted through the fecal-oral route, meaning it spreads when a person consumes food or water contaminated with the virus. It can also spread through close contact with an infected individual. The poliovirus lives in the throat and intestines of those infected, and poor sanitation, unsafe water, and inadequate hygiene greatly increase the risk of transmission, especially in communities with limited access to clean facilities.

In severe cases, polio can lead to acute flaccid paralysis, which may affect the diaphragm and throat muscles, making it difficult to breathe or swallow. Since there is no cure for polio, prevention remains the only line of defense. Raising awareness about polio vaccination is therefore essential to protect individuals, especially children, from this potentially life-threatening disease.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has stretched to more than 10 days, is disrupting health services and fueling the risk of several infectious diseases as well as environmental hazards, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

Citing national health authorities, the WHO reported casualties:

• Iran - over 1,300 died, 9,000 injured
• Lebanon - 570 people died and more than 1,400 injured
• Israel - 15 died and 2,142 injured.

These include:

• Iran

- 8 deaths among health workers

• Lebanon

- 16 deaths and 29 injuries to health care workers.

"The conflict is affecting the very services meant to save lives," the WHO said.

"These attacks not only cost lives but deprive communities of care when they need it most. Health workers, patients, and health facilities must always be protected under international humanitarian law,” it added.

Notably, the conflict is also collapsing health system with the shutdown of critical medical services:

• Lebanon - 49 primary health care centers and 5 hospitals shut down.
• Occupied Palestinian territory - ambulances and mobile clinics access delayed.
• Gaza - medical evacuations suspended since 28 February
• WHO’s global logistics hub in Dubai - disruption in movement of medical supplies

Francesca Quinto, Desk Manager at Doctors Without Borders, in an update social media platform X informed the threat to healthcare facilities in Lebanon.

"Our teams are witnessing the suffering up close: hospitals under pressure, communities repeatedly displaced and humanitarian needs rising sharply. Civilians and healthcare facilities must be protected and access to care and safety must be guaranteed," Quinto said.

The global health body also flagged wider public health risks due to the crisis, driving up disease risks among people displaced and living in shelter camps with limited access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.

As per current estimates, more than 100,000 people in Iran have relocated to other areas of the country due to insecurity, and up to 700,000 people have been internally displaced in Lebanon.

"These conditions increase the risk of respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and other communicable illnesses, especially for the most vulnerable populations, such as women and children," the WHO said.

Black Rain And Environmental Hazard

In addition, the Middle East crisis is also increasing concerns over environmental hazards. The petroleum fires and smoke from damaged infrastructure in Iran are potentially causing breathing problems, eye and skin irritation, and contaminated water and food sources.

Recently, Iran saw black rainfall after overnight Israeli strikes on several fuel depots caused fires to burn for hours.

Iran's Red Crescent Society had warned the residents of Tehran and the surrounding region that the rainfall after the strikes could be "highly dangerous and acidic", and could cause "chemical burns of the skin and serious damage to the lungs".

Call For De-escalation

The WHO called on all countries to de-escalate the conflict and "to protect civilians and health care, ensure unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access".

The WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, shared concerns about the rising global military expenditure and the rising world hunger rates.

"Global military expenditure just hit $2.7 trillion - in a single year. According to the UN estimates, ending world hunger by 2030 would require $93 billion annually. That means we spend almost 30 times more every year on killing each other than on making sure everyone eats. Numbers don't lie. Our priorities do," he said, in a post on social media platform X.