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On August 17, 2026, San Diego County public health officials announced that their investigation traced the Salmonella outbreak to raw, unpasteurized eggs supplied by Happy Hens Poultry Farm and used to make house-made mayonnaise at the Ramona Family Naturals Market deli [1]. The outbreak has grown from 13 cases and 4 hospitalizations when first reported on July 28, 2026, to 21 confirmed cases and 7 hospitalizations as of August 17. On August 18, 2026, plaintiff Whitney Lynn Hight and her husband Casey Hight of Ramona filed suit in San Diego against Happy Hens and Ramona Family Naturals Market [2].
How the Outbreak Was Discovered
The outbreak was first identified on July 28, 2026, when San Diego County linked multiple Salmonella cases to mayonnaise prepared in-house at Ramona Family Naturals Market using raw, unpasteurized eggs. Subsequent investigation by the county’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality traced those eggs to Happy Hens, a Ramona-area poultry farm that distributes eggs to retailers, restaurants, and food service locations across San Diego, Orange, and Los Angeles counties.
County investigators also found additional Salmonella cases involving the same strain that are not linked to the Ramona market — raising the possibility that Happy Hens eggs distributed to other retail locations and food service facilities have contributed to the broader outbreak. The county has reached out to retail food facilities that may have received eggs from Happy Hens to remind them of proper storage, grading, and resale requirements.
Happy Hens Has Denied the Link
Despite the county’s findings, Happy Hens has publicly denied on social media that its farm is linked to the outbreak. Farm co-owner Chloe Nevarez told local reporters she was surprised by the county’s announcement and indicated the farm has negative test reports. No recall of Happy Hens eggs has been issued as of August 18, 2026, and no public list of the retailers or food service operators that received Happy Hens eggs has been published.
What Is the Hazard?
Salmonella contamination in raw, unpasteurized eggs presents a serious health risk — particularly when those eggs are used to prepare food products like mayonnaise, aioli, Caesar dressing, or other preparations consumed without thorough cooking. Salmonella may not be detectable by smell, appearance, or taste, making contaminated eggs and egg-based products indistinguishable from safe ones.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection — including diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal cramps — typically begin 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and can last four to seven days. Young children under 5, adults 65 and older, and immunocompromised individuals face the greatest risk of severe illness requiring hospitalization.
Incidents and Injuries
As of August 17, 2026, 21 people have been confirmed ill with the outbreak Salmonella strain, and 7 have been hospitalized. Lead plaintiff Whitney Hight reportedly experienced diarrhea more than 20 times a day, could not keep down liquids, ran a fever of 103 degrees, and was unable to stand or walk without assistance for the worst of a roughly 10-day illness.
What Should Consumers Do?
Consumers who have purchased Happy Hens eggs should not use them in raw or lightly cooked preparations — including house-made mayonnaise, aioli, hollandaise, or soft-scrambled eggs — and should cook all eggs until both the yolk and white are fully firm. Consumers who develop symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their healthcare provider immediately and report their illness to San Diego County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality at 858-505-6814 or by emailing fhdepi@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Can I File a Lawsuit?
Consumers who became ill after eating Happy Hens eggs or food products made with them — including the mayonnaise served at Ramona Family Naturals Market — may have significant legal options against Happy Hens Poultry Farm and the market. Contact an attorney promptly to have your case evaluated.
References
1. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/happy-hens-eggs-source-of-salmonella-outbreak-from-ramona-delis-mayonnaise-county-says/4062275/
2. https://www.countynewscenter.com/ramona-salmonella-outbreak-grows/