By The People’s Paper MS
MISSISSIPPI — Yes, Mississippians can still enjoy salads, eggs and jalapeños. The key is making sure the food in your refrigerator or pantry is not part of an active recall.
Recent federal food safety alerts involving certain iceberg lettuce, shell eggs and jalapeño-containing products have caused understandable concern. However, the recalls do not apply to every bag of lettuce, carton of eggs or jalapeño on store shelves.
Consumers should check product labels, package dates and recall information before eating or serving these foods.
Check iceberg lettuce
A Taylor Fresh Foods recall involving certain iceberg lettuce products affected Mississippi consumers. The recall included Marketside bagged iceberg salad and shredded iceberg lettuce because the products may have been contaminated with Cyclospora, a parasite that can cause intestinal illness.
The affected Marketside products were sold at select Walmart stores in Mississippi and other states. The recalled products included 12-ounce and 24-ounce bags of Marketside Iceberg Salad and 8-ounce and 16-ounce bags of Marketside Shredded Lettuce.
The recalled products had “Best If Used By” dates ranging from July 18 through Aug. 3, 2026. Those dates have now passed, and the FDA says the recalled lettuce should no longer be available in stores or restaurants. However, consumers should still check their refrigerators before eating any previously purchased product. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
If you have recalled lettuce, do not eat it. Throw it away or return it to the store.
The recall does not mean people need to stop eating all salads. Consumers can continue to purchase and eat lettuce that is not included in the recall.
The FDA recommends washing hands before handling produce and rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables under clean running water. However, rinsing alone may not remove Cyclospora. Never use soap, bleach or other household cleaners on produce.
Check egg-carton codes
A separate recall involves more than 1.5 million dozen shell eggs produced by Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. The eggs were recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination.
Recalled eggs were sold under brands including Country Morning, Cal-Maine Sunups, Brookshire’s, Simple Truth and Kroger. Some recalled eggs were distributed to Mississippi retailers. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Consumers should check the date-coding ink on the side of the egg carton.
The recalled cartons have plant codes P-1950 or 0840962 and Julian dates from 157 through 184. The affected cartons have sell-by or best-by dates between July 20 and Aug. 17, 2026. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
If your eggs match the recalled codes and dates, do not eat them. Discard them or return them to the retailer.
Consumers should also wash and sanitize surfaces, containers and utensils that may have come into contact with recalled eggs.
Eggs that are not included in the recall can still be eaten. Keep eggs refrigerated and cook them thoroughly.
Watch recalled jalapeño products
Federal health officials are also investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak involving fresh jalapeño peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico.
Taylor Fresh Foods recalled certain ready-to-eat foods containing the recalled jalapeños, including salads, wraps, sandwiches, burritos, bowls, salsa and guacamole.
The recalled products were distributed to Mississippi. One affected product was a Private Selection Spicy Roast Beef Sandwich sold at Kroger locations. The recalled sandwich had “Best If Used By” dates from Aug. 7 through Aug. 12, 2026. Other recalled jalapeño-containing products had dates through Aug. 16. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
Those dates have now passed, but consumers should still check food purchased earlier this month.
If you have a recalled jalapeño product, do not eat it. Throw it away or return it to the store. Wash and sanitize surfaces or containers that may have come into contact with the recalled food.
The recall does not mean every jalapeño or jalapeño-containing product is unsafe. Consumers should avoid the specific products identified in the recall.
Know when to get help
Foodborne illnesses can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends seeking medical care for signs of severe food poisoning, including bloody diarrhea, a fever higher than 102 degrees, frequent vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down, signs of dehydration or diarrhea lasting more than three days. (CDC)
Young children, adults 65 and older, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems are among those at greater risk for serious foodborne illness. (CDC)
For Mississippi families, the message is straightforward: Check before you eat.
If a product matches a recall, do not take a chance. Throw it away or return it to the retailer.
If your food is not part of a recall, there is no need to avoid salads, eggs or jalapeños simply because of these alerts.
Read more health, community and Mississippi news at thepeoplespaperms.com.
