First it was Costco’s Kirkland Prosecco, one of the company’s top selling private-label products. Then came a wave of pharmaceutical recalls affecting generic drugs.
Now, it’s eggs.
The latest recall comes on the heels of a much more significant recall from earlier this year. While this recall has not yet been linked to illness or death, it still highlights ongoing food-safety lapses and the broader business risks of quality control in consumer goods.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recalled eggs produced by Black Sheep Egg Company in Arkansas and sold as Kenz Henz in Santa Fe, Texas.
On September 29, 2025, the FDA inspected Black Sheep Egg Company’s egg processing facility and collected environmental samples.
Of the samples collected, 40 were positive for salmonella,including seven different strains, some of which are known to cause human illness.
The recall affects around 6 million eggs.
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The latest 2025 egg recall
The recalled eggs are Grade AA Large Eggs, sold in 12- and 18-count packages that are labeled with:
• UPC code: 86949400030
• Julian dates: 241 (Aug. 30) to 244 (Sept. 2) and 246 (Sept. 4) to 247 (Sept. 5)
• Best by dates: Oct. 11 to Oct. 14 and Oct. 16 to Oct. 17 stamped on the side
Consumers who have eggs bearing the UPC codes listed above should not eat, sell, or serve the eggs, even if they appear normal.
“Chicken fecal matter contains a high concentration of salmonella, and can get on the surface of an egg, which contaminates the shell,” Food Scientist and Author of “150 Food Science Questions Answered” Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D. explained in a 2023 interview.
“The pores or cracks of the egg shell can also allow salmonella to seep into the interior of the egg.”
Business implications of food recalls
The incident highlights multiple layers of risk for food-product manufacturers, distributors, and retailers:
- Retail liability: Retailers must manage the financial hit (product returns, disposal) and reputational damage.
- Supply-chain vulnerability: The egg business is tightly linked to regulated live-animal production, packing inspection and traceability. A failure at one supplier ripples widely.
- Regulatory escalation: The FDA’s involvement and classification of the recall elevate the oversight burden and could lead to stricter enforcement or corrective action mandates.
A previous egg recall was much more widespread
The Kenz Henz eggs were sold at retailers in the Houston area, as shared by the FDA, so this recall is not as urgent as one from earlier this year, since there have not yet been reports of illness or death.
The previous egg recall involved private-label eggs produced by the August Egg Company in Hilmar, Calif.
That event, which affected Walmart, Safeway, Smart & Final, Raley’s, Ralphs, and others, resulted in:
- 134 confirmed infections across 10 states
- 38 hospitalizations
- 1 death, according to CDC data
In the past, other recalls (for beverages or drugs) have highlighted the tension between cost savings and quality assurance. For example:
- The Kirkland Signature Prosecco recall prompted widespread store-branded beverage scrutiny.
- Drug recalls, like the current one affecting a cholesterol-lowering drug used by millions of Americans, often compel companies to halt production lines, issue broad public notifications, and face regulatory follow-up audits.
What consumers should do with the recalled Kenz Henz eggs
Do not eat the eggs. Return them for a refund or dispose of them, as advised by the FDA. Retailers should remove any remaining product, sanitize contact surfaces, and coordinate with suppliers for retrieval and reimbursement.
As retailers and suppliers navigate the fallout, the incident underscores the importance of strong traceability systems, rigorous supplier oversight, and urgent communication strategies.
Food recalls in 2025:
The FDA Enforcement Reports and Food Safety News highlight:
- > 150 FDA food recalls have been issued in 2025 (through Q3).
- Salmonella accounts for nearly 45% of bacterial-related recalls, per FDA data.
- The average direct cost of a Class I recall exceeds $10 million, excluding litigation or insurance losses.
Consumers can monitor food and product recalls by monitoring the FDA Recalls, Outbreaks and Emergencies page.
Related: Costco urgently recalls Foster Farms product sold nationwide
