Urgent recall for eggs due to possible bleach contamination

More than 200,000 pounds of liquid eggs have been recalled for possible bleach contamination. 

Michigan-based Cargill Kitchen Solutions voluntarily recalled a line of four different pre-beaten egg products that may contain a cleaning solution with sodium hypochlorite.

Ingesting sodium hypochlorite, a powerful, chlorine-based disinfectant and bleaching agent, can cause severe tissue damage, including severe inflammation, rapid hemolysis, ulceration, and potentially death, according to the CDC.

The recall includes 32-ounce cartons of Egg Beaters Original Liquid Egg Substitute with a 'use by' date of August 10, 2025, and 32-ounce cartons of Egg Beaters Cage-Free Original Liquid Egg Substitute with a 'use by' date of August 9, 2025.

Also included in the recall are 32-ounce cartons of Egg Beaters Cage-Free Original Frozen Egg Substitute and Egg Beaters and cartons of the same product labelled in Spanish with a 'use by' date of March 7, 2025.

All 32-ounce cartons of Bob Evans Better'n Eggs Made with Real Egg Whites with a 'use by' date of August 10, 2025 and 32-ounce cartons of Bob Evans Better'n Eggs Made with Real Egg Whites with a 'use by' date of August 10, 2025 are listed.

The affected products were shipped to distributor locations in Ohio and Texas and foodservice locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois and Iowa. 

To check if your product is affected by this recall, look for the establishment number 'G1804' printed on the carton next to the 'use by' date. 

There is a possibility that the products were distributed nationwide, according to the USDA's Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). 

While ingesting sodium hypochlorite could be risky, the FSIS 'does not expect any adverse health effects' to consumers after investigating the products.

So far, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions from consumers. 

Still, the agency urged consumers who have purchased these products to not consume them, and told foodservice locations not to serve them.

'These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase,' officials said in a statement. 

This issue was brought to light when FSIS received a tip, prompting the agency to launch an investigation and thorough assessment of the contents of the cleaning solution that may have contaminated these products. 

This resulted in a Class III recall, which indicates 'a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.'

Sodium hypochlorite, the main ingredient in bleach, is a chemical made from sodium, oxygen, and chlorine. 

This disinfectant is highly effective at killing harmful bacteria. 

But high levels of exposure to sodium hypochlorite can be dangerous to your health. 

'Bleach can cause poisonous effects, including burns and tissue damage, when it is swallowed or injected into skin and soft tissues,' according to Poison Control. 

'Small swallows of lower concentration household bleach typically cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Ingestion of concentrated bleach products can cause more severe injuries, permanent damage to the gastrointestinal system, and death.'

Although the FSIS found that the contamination level for these egg products was not high enough to pose these health risks, the agency said any consumers who are concerned that the products made them sick should contact a doctor.