The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it is recalling more than 1.7 million eggs produced by August Egg Company after health officials linked the products to a Salmonella enteritidis outbreak that has sickened 79 people across seven states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those illnesses began in early April and have included 21 hospitalizations. Health experts warn that anyone who purchased the affected eggs should discard them or return them to the store immediately. August Egg Company, based in Hilmar, California, voluntarily initiated the recall in cooperation with the FDA. The company stated it distributed brown cage-free and brown organic eggs between February 3 and May 15, 2025. Consumers can identify the recalled cartons by the plant code numbers “P-6562” or “CA5330” and Julian dates ranging from “32” to “126” printed on the packaging. Sell-by dates for the eggs run from March 4 through June 19, 2025. The recalled eggs reached major supermarket chains in nine states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming. In California and Nevada, the products were available at Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs. Walmart stores in all nine states also carried the eggs through May 6. Brand names include Clover, Marketside, and Raleys, among others. Retailers have been notified and are working to remove all affected cartons from shelves. Health officials first recognized the outbreak after several patients reported eating raw or undercooked eggs before developing symptoms. Salmonella infection typically causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps six hours to six days after exposure, and it can last up to a week. Some patients also experience nausea, vomiting, headache, or chills. While most healthy people recover without treatment, the illness can be more severe in young children, older adults, pregnant women, and anyone with a weakened immune system. People who develop high fever, signs of dehydration such as dry mouth or dizziness when standing, or bloody diarrhea should seek medical care at once. “The decision to recall these eggs reflects our commitment to public health,” said an FDA spokesperson, urging consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for the affected products. The agency noted that eggs are a leading source of Salmonella enteritidis in the United States, and even eggs that look normal can carry the bacteria. To reduce risk, consumers should cook eggs until both yolks and whites are firm, wash hands and surfaces after handling raw eggs, and store eggs promptly at or below 40 °F. August Egg Company also reported that, for more than 30 days, it has ceased all fresh shell-egg sales and is sending eggs to pasteurization facilities to destroy any remaining pathogens. Customers who purchased the recalled eggs may return them to their place of purchase for a full refund. Those with questions can call the company’s hotline at 1-800-710-2554 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time. The CDC cautions that more cases could emerge as milder infections often go unreported. It advises that anyone who ate the recalled eggs and feels ill should inform their healthcare provider about possible Salmonella exposure. Meanwhile, public health authorities continue investigating to confirm that the recall has halted further spread of the infection. Consumers are encouraged to monitor official FDA and CDC updates for any new information.

Small business owners across the United States are pulling back on plans to add staff as higher costs from new import duties cut into their earnings. Data from the National Federation of Independent Business shows that the share of small firms intending to hire fell from thirteen percent in April to twelve percent in May. Because these smaller companies have less cash on hand, they often adjust their payrolls before larger firms do. As a result, many have trimmed employee hours, put off bringing on new workers, or even let some people go to help balance their books. Many of these firms rely on goods and raw materials from overseas. When the government raises duties on those items, importers pay more and pass that cost on to buyers. Higher costs affect everything from manufacturing supplies to food items. For example, a restaurant owner might pay more for flour and meat, while a craft producer may see prices rise for plastics and metals. When costs go up and they cannot raise prices enough to cover the gap, owners end up earning less on each sale. That gap often leads them to look for ways to save money. And small firms usually have thin reserves. That means they feel the pain faster than big companies. Large chains may have weeks of cash and credit lines to cover extra expenses, but many small shops operate day to day with little buffer. When import costs move up, these owners face a choice: swallow the cost or cut staff. Many choose the latter because payroll often stands as one of their biggest expenses. According to the same trade group report, nearly half of the owners who saw profits shrink in recent months said they cut back on new hires. Some had to reduce the hours of existing employees. Others asked staff to share roles or handle tasks outside their usual duties. A few owners said they froze pay increases and bonuses until sales improved again. These moves help in the short term, but they can take a toll on morale and slow long-term growth. At the same time, some business leaders are turning to different cost controls. A few have invested in basic automation tools that speed up tasks like billing and scheduling. Others have shifted some work to contractors who only get paid when a project is done. And some owners have asked workers to rotate through multiple jobs so the shop can run with fewer people on site. These steps let firms spread out work without adding full time staff. Economists warn that when small companies pause hiring, the effect ripples through local communities. With fewer paychecks hitting the streets, household spending can slow, which in turn hits other businesses. In towns where a small factory or shop is a big employer, cuts to hours or jobs can be felt in restaurants, grocery stores, and service firms. Tariffs on steel, aluminum, electronics, and certain consumer goods have been a particular pain point. Many owners say that costs rose quickly and they had no warning. In some cases, suppliers passed on price increases in one lump sum rather than gradually, making it hard for shop owners to plan. Some say that they must now decide each month if they can afford to bring on an extra pair of hands or if they need to keep staff levels where they are. Looking ahead, small business owners hope the pressure eases. They are watching trade talks and any hints of changes in duty rules. Until then, many will stick with their smaller staffs and find other ways to serve customers without adding new jobs. But if costs continue to climb, local job markets could remain tight, and more owners may cut back further to keep their doors open.

Overview Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery, the continent’s biggest processing plant, has boosted its intake of American crude oil to account for roughly one third of its total feedstock this year. The project sits near Lagos and can handle 650 000 barrels per day. It began operations in 2024 and immediately faced a shortfall in local supply that forced it to look overseas for a stable flow of crude. Background on Local Output Nigeria ranks as Africa’s top oil producer but struggles to send enough crude to its own refineries. Local grades often carry high sulphur content and yield less gasoline when processed. Refinery officials have said they must take in what local suppliers can deliver and then fill the gap with imports. This need prompted Dangote to pursue contracts with traders in the United States, where West Texas Intermediate Midland crude offers higher gasoline output and easier blending. Contracts and Volumes In June, traders recorded a booking of 300 000 barrels per day for delivery to Dangote, which marked a record intake since startup. For July, the refinery awarded contracts to bring in at least five million barrels of WTI crude. Vitol secured two million barrels, Socar of Azerbaijan agreed to another two million, and Glencore covered one million. Ship-tracking databases show these volumes almost double the import level recorded during the first months of operation. Drivers of the Shift Refinery leaders point to technical benefits. Midland crude yields more high-octane petrol and blends more readily with products in local markets. The head of operations, Edwin Devakumar, explained that the plant can process whatever grades local producers offer but needs to import the rest to run at full capacity. He added that reliable quality and predictable delivery schedules from US suppliers help the refinery maintain output targets. Impact on Local Industry This surge in American imports highlights a challenge for Nigeria’s own upstream producers. Operators must ramp up output of grades that meet the refinery’s technical needs or face continued reliance on foreign barrels. The government has tried to boost investment in pipeline networks and storage facilities to streamline deliveries but progress remains slow. Analysts warn that unless local fields improve quality or reduce sulphur levels, Dangote will keep turning to the US market. Market Reaction International traders have taken note of the refinery’s buying spree. Some expect Dangote to expand its American imports beyond the current levels if local supply gaps persist. Commodity experts say that rising purchases could put upward pressure on Midland crude prices in the Atlantic basin. In contrast, regional crude markers may slip slightly as import demand shifts away from West African grades to meet urgent domestic needs. Broader Implications Beyond Nigeria, the refinery’s strategy signals a trend for large processing projects in emerging markets that face supply chain hurdles. Operators may increasingly look to distant suppliers if domestic producers cannot meet quality or volume requirements. For Dangote, securing a stable feedstock stream will prove vital to reaching its full 650 000 barrel per day capacity and turning a profit. Outlook Going forward, Dangote plans more negotiations with US and other international traders as it seeks to lock in multi-month deals at competitive prices. Local producers face pressure to upgrade field output or offer incentives that match global benchmarks. The refinery’s success in stabilising crude flows could influence policy on energy security in Nigeria and guide future investments in the sector. As the plant evolves into a key regional hub, its sourcing choices will remain under close watch.