Updated September 18, 2026. Happy Hens voluntarily recalled certain organic shell eggs on September 8 after the investigation into the Ramona Salmonella outbreak expanded to the farm. The latest reported total remains 23 illnesses and seven hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.
The outbreak was first linked to raw-egg mayonnaise made at Ramona Family Naturals Market. Investigators later identified illnesses involving the same Salmonella strain in people with no connection to the market. In its September 4 update, San Diego County reported that FDA environmental testing detected Salmonella in two of seven hen houses at Happy Hens, the farm that supplied the deli’s eggs.
The California Department of Public Health’s September 11 advisory warns consumers not to eat, serve or sell the recalled eggs. Check the handler code, lot number and sell-by date against the recall details below. Return affected eggs to the seller for a refund or discard them.
Do You Need a Salmonella Lawyer?
Pritzker Hageman’s national food safety lawyers are investigating illnesses connected to the Ramona Salmonella outbreak. If you were diagnosed with Salmonella, contact contact the Pritzker Hageman Salmonella Legal Team for a free consultation.
Ramona Salmonella Outbreak: Key Facts
- Cases: 23
- Hospitalizations: 7
- Deaths: 0 reported
- Egg producer: Happy Hens poultry farm, Ramona, California
- Original outbreak location: Ramona Family Naturals Market
- Initially implicated food: Raw-egg mayonnaise used in chicken salads and Ramona Red Sauce
- FDA finding: Salmonella detected in two of seven Happy Hens hen houses
- Genetic testing: Farm Salmonella linked to strains from outbreak patients
- Recall status: Specified Happy Hens eggs voluntarily recalled September 8, 2026
- Investigation status: Ongoing
What San Diego County Has Reported
San Diego County reports 23 illnesses and seven hospitalizations in the Salmonella outbreak linked to Happy Hens eggs. No deaths have been reported. Cases have been identified in La Mesa, Del Mar, Ramona and Jamul, with one additional case in Riverside County.
The investigation began after people who ate food from the Ramona Family Naturals Market deli became sick with Salmonella. Health officials initially linked the illnesses to mayonnaise made with raw, unpasteurized eggs. The market stopped using raw eggs in its food products after the outbreak was identified.
Investigators later identified Happy Hens poultry farm in Ramona as the supplier of those eggs. The investigation then expanded after additional people infected with the same Salmonella strain were identified without a known connection to Ramona Family Naturals Market.
FDA environmental testing at Happy Hens found Salmonella in two of seven hen houses tested, and genetic testing linked the Salmonella found at the farm to strains recovered from people sickened in the outbreak. Testing of eggs distributed by Happy Hens was still pending as of September 4.
This outbreak is separate from the multistate Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to recalled shell eggs from Midwest Poultry Services. San Diego County says the strains involved are not related.
Are Happy Hens Eggs Linked to the Salmonella Outbreak?
Yes. San Diego County reports that genetic testing linked Salmonella found in environmental samples at Happy Hens poultry farm to strains recovered from people sickened in the outbreak. The investigation includes eggs distributed by Happy Hens and eggs purchased directly from the farm.
Happy Hens supplied the raw eggs that Ramona Family Naturals Market used to make mayonnaise. Finding genetically related Salmonella at the farm adds laboratory evidence to the earlier link between illnesses and foods prepared with that mayonnaise.
According to California Department of Food and Agriculture records, Eben-Haezer’s Happy Hens is listed as a registered egg handler in Ramona. Happy Hens states that its pasture-raised eggs are sold through its farm store and at other locations in Southern California.
Did FDA Find Salmonella at Happy Hens Poultry Farm?
Yes. FDA environmental sampling found Salmonella in two of seven hen houses tested at Happy Hens. Samples were collected from hen-house floors and perch rail and nest-box areas where chicken waste accumulates.
The County’s September 4 announcement linked the Salmonella from farm environmental samples to strains from ill residents. At that time, testing of eggs distributed by Happy Hens was still pending.
Have Happy Hens Eggs Been Recalled?
Yes. Happy Hens voluntarily recalled specified eggs on September 8, 2026. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a public warning on September 11.
The recall includes Happy Hens in-shell organic eggs of all grades and sizes bearing Egg Handler Code CA-0677 and one of these lot and sell-by date combinations. Affected packages include 12-egg and 18-egg cartons, 20-egg and 30-egg flats, and 15-dozen foodservice cases containing six 30-egg flats.
| Lot or Date Code | Sell By Date |
| 223 | September 10, 2026 |
| 226 | September 13, 2026 |
| 237 | September 24, 2026 |
The eggs were sold through restaurants, grocery stores and farmers markets in Southern California and the Central Coast, as well as directly at the Happy Hens farm in Ramona.
How Did the Ramona Salmonella Outbreak Start?
On July 28, 2026, San Diego County first linked the outbreak to mayonnaise prepared at Ramona Family Naturals Market. The mayonnaise was made with raw, unpasteurized eggs supplied by Happy Hens and was used in chicken salads and Ramona Red Sauce.
The investigation expanded after health officials identified additional people infected with the same Salmonella strain who were not connected to the market. That led investigators to examine Happy Hens eggs as a possible common source.
Is the Outbreak Limited to Ramona Family Naturals Market?
No. Although the outbreak was first identified through illnesses associated with Ramona Family Naturals Market, San Diego County later identified related cases with no known connection to the deli. The County now says the investigation has revealed genetic links to eggs distributed by or purchased directly from Happy Hens.
Why Traceback Matters in a Salmonella Lawsuit
Identifying the egg producer and finding genetically related Salmonella at the farm can help investigators determine how contamination occurred and where potentially implicated eggs were distributed.
Investigators may examine purchase records, invoices, delivery records, distribution records, laboratory testing and other traceback evidence to determine which businesses received Happy Hens eggs and whether additional illnesses are connected to the same source.
That evidence can also become important in a Salmonella lawsuit. A foodborne illness claim may involve the producer, distributor, restaurant, retailer or other businesses in the supply chain, depending on where contamination occurred and how the contaminated food reached the person who became sick.
Why Raw Egg Mayonnaise Can Spread Salmonella
Raw shell eggs can contain Salmonella even when they look clean and unbroken. Mayonnaise and similar sauces may be served without a cooking step that would kill the bacteria. If contaminated raw eggs are mixed into a ready-to-eat food, Salmonella can be distributed throughout the batch and reach multiple customers.
The FDA advises restaurants and food-service operations to substitute pasteurized eggs or pasteurized egg products for raw shell eggs when making mayonnaise and other foods that are not thoroughly cooked. Pasteurization is designed to reduce dangerous bacteria while allowing the egg product to be used in recipes that would otherwise call for raw eggs.
Eggs have caused other serious Salmonella outbreaks, including a 2025 outbreak linked to organic eggs that included restaurant illness clusters. The Ramona investigation underscores why restaurants should use pasteurized eggs in uncooked sauces and follow strict refrigeration, sanitation, and cross-contamination controls.
Salmonella Symptoms and When to Seek Medical Care
Salmonella symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after infection and typically last four to seven days. Symptoms may include:
- Watery diarrhea that may contain blood or mucus
- Severe stomach cramps
- Fever
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
Contact a healthcare provider promptly if diarrhea or vomiting lasts more than two days, stool or urine is bloody, a fever is higher than 102°F, or signs of dehydration develop. Dehydration signs can include very dark urine, little or no urination, intense thirst, dry mouth, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
Although many people recover, Salmonella can spread beyond the intestines and cause serious complications such as bloodstream infection, meningitis, bone or joint infection, and reactive arthritis. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of severe illness.
What People Exposed to the Ramona Salmonella Outbreak Should Do
People who ate food from Ramona Family Naturals Market, consumed Happy Hens eggs, or otherwise believe they may have been exposed to this outbreak should watch for Salmonella symptoms. If symptoms develop, take the following steps:
- Seek medical care and ask about testing. Tell the provider when you ate at the deli, what you ate, when symptoms began, and that San Diego County is investigating a Salmonella outbreak. A stool culture or other laboratory testing may help diagnose the illness and connect it to an outbreak.
- Report the illness to San Diego County. The County asks people who are still sick and those who have recovered to report suspected foodborne illness. Call 858-505-6814 or use the San Diego County foodborne illness reporting instructions and form. The completed form can be emailed to [email protected].
- Preserve records. Save receipts, payment-card records, online order confirmations, photos, medical records, and the names of anyone who ate with you. Write down the date and time of the visit and every food or drink consumed while the details are fresh.
- Do not eat suspected leftovers. Keep food sealed and separate from other foods only if a health official or attorney asks you to retain it for possible testing. Otherwise, follow official disposal instructions.
- Document the impact of the illness. Keep track of missed work, medical bills, medications, travel for care, continuing symptoms, and any follow-up treatment.
Can You Sue a Restaurant for Salmonella Food Poisoning?
A person diagnosed with Salmonella may have a legal claim if the evidence connects the illness to the restaurant or an implicated food. Whether someone can sue a restaurant for food poisoning depends on the facts and the available medical, microbiological, epidemiological, and purchase evidence.
Important evidence may include a positive Salmonella test, the timing of symptoms, a documented deli purchase, interviews conducted by health officials, identification of a common food exposure, laboratory comparisons of bacterial isolates, inspection findings, and traceback information. A public health agency does not always identify every contaminated menu item before a legal investigation begins.
Compensation in a successful Salmonella lawsuit may include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, future care, and losses caused by long-term complications.
How a Salmonella Lawyer Can Help
Restaurant outbreak cases can involve evidence held by the business, food suppliers, laboratories, healthcare providers, and public health agencies. An experienced food poisoning lawyer can move quickly to preserve records, obtain available health-department information, identify all potentially responsible companies, work with scientific experts, and document the full financial and medical impact of the illness.
Pritzker Hageman’s national Salmonella legal team has handled complex foodborne illness cases involving restaurants, grocery stores, food manufacturers, and distributors. The firm’s trial lawyers obtained a $6.5 million jury verdict for a child who suffered permanent brain damage from Salmonella and have secured other significant recoveries for people with severe Salmonella complications.
Contact Pritzker Hageman About the Happy Hens and Ramona Salmonella Outbreak
Pritzker Hageman is reviewing claims involving the Happy Hens Ramona Salmonella outbreak. A free, confidential consultation can help determine what evidence may be available and whether a legal claim should be investigated.
Call 1-888-377-8900 or text 612-261-0856, or request a free consultation online. There is no fee unless the firm wins compensation for you.
Ramona Happy Hens Salmonella Outbreak FAQ
The latest published total is 23 illnesses and seven hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.
The outbreak was initially linked to raw-egg mayonnaise at Ramona Family Naturals Market. The investigation expanded to Happy Hens eggs, and specified lots have now been recalled.
The raw eggs used by Ramona Family Naturals Market were supplied by Happy Hens poultry farm in Ramona, California.
Yes. San Diego County says genetic testing linked Salmonella found in two Happy Hens hen houses to strains from people sickened in the outbreak.
The September 4 county update said egg testing was pending. The positive findings described in this article concern hen-house environmental samples.
Yes. Specified Happy Hens eggs were recalled September 8, 2026. Use the handler code and exact lot and sell-by date combinations in the recall table above to identify affected eggs.
No. Investigators identified related illnesses in people with no connection to the market, and the investigation expanded to Happy Hens eggs.
No. San Diego County identified this as a separate outbreak from the one involving Midwest Poultry Services eggs. FDA reported that the Midwest Poultry Services outbreak was over on September 3, 2026.
Call the San Diego County Food and Housing Division Epidemiology Liaison at 858-505-6814. The County also provides a foodborne illness intake form that can be emailed to [email protected].
Contact a healthcare provider and explain that you ate at a deli connected to an active Salmonella investigation and are experiencing symptoms of a Salmonella infection. The provider can decide whether testing is still medically useful. Report the illness to San Diego County even if you have recovered.
Seek medical care if you become ill and tell your healthcare provider about the possible exposure. Save receipts, order records, egg cartons or packaging, photos, and medical records. Testing may help confirm a Salmonella infection and connect your illness to an outbreak. You should also contact a Salmonella lawyer promptly. Statutes of limitations set deadlines for filing food poisoning claims, and waiting too long could affect your ability to recover compensation.
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