Unpasteurized Mayo Linked to Ramona Deli Outbreak

A simple deli sandwich has turned into a public health investigation – officials say mayonnaise made with raw eggs is behind a growing Salmonella outbreak in Ramona, California.

Thirteen people have fallen ill in a Salmonella outbreak traced to a deli at Ramona, California. The health officials are pointing to an unexpected culprit: mayonnaise made in-house using raw, unpasteurized eggs (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Ramona Deli

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The County of San Diego confirmed the outbreak is linked to Ramona Family Naturals Market. With cases recorded since 21 June 2026, around thirteen people have fallen sick, and four people have required hospitalization. Those affected range in age from 27 to 60.

Why Raw-Egg Mayonnaise Is a Known Risk

Investigators believe the outbreak is linked to customers eating mayonnaise prepared with raw, unpasteurized eggs. Because raw eggs are never cooked before going into mayonnaise, any Salmonella bacteria present on the shell or inside the egg can survive and multiply, especially if the product sits at room temperature.

The market’s owner has been cooperating with the County’s Environmental Health and Quality division and Public Health Services, and has already stopped using raw, unpasteurized eggs across all products sold at the store.

Officials have confirmed this outbreak is a separate and unrelated strain from the ongoing Salmonella outbreak linked to shell eggs currently affecting parts of the US Midwest. Recentely pasteurized shell and liquid eggs were recommended by food and drug administration in wake of massive egg recall medlink> to limit the outbreak.

What Salmonella Infection Looks Like: Symptoms, Risks

Salmonella is the most common cause of bacterial food poisoning in the US, sickening over a million people every year. Beyond raw eggs, it can also spread through undercooked poultry, red meat, and seafood, unwashed produce, unpasteurized dairy, contaminated water, and even contact with pets or animals like reptiles and birds. It’s also contagious spread from person-to-person if hands aren’t washed properly after using the bathroom or before handling food.

Salmonella Infection Symptoms

Salmonella infection, or Salmonellosis, typically causes symptoms of food poisoning like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea (sometimes with blood or mucus), abdominal cramps, and fever. Symptoms usually appear within 12 to 72 hours of eating contaminated food, and most healthy adults recover within 4 to 7 days without needing treatment.

Who Is at Risk for Salmonella Infection?

Older adults, young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness. People taking antacids or recent antibiotics, those with inflammatory bowel disease, and children under 5 also pose a risk of infection.

While most cases resolve on their own within a week, warning signs that calls for emergency care include a high fever, bloody stool, persistent vomiting, dark urine, or dizziness — signs of dehydration or a more serious complication.

The officials have recommend avoiding raw or undercooked eggs altogether, since they inherently carry Salmonella risk regardless of source.

Anyone who dined at the market and either recovered or is still feeling unwell can report their illness to the County’s Department of Environmental Health Quality at (858) 505-6814, or by email at [email protected].

References:

1. Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Ramona Deli – (https://www.countynewscenter.com/salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-ramona-deli/)
2. Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Eggs – (https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/eggs-08-25/index.html)
3. San Diego County health officials link Salmonella outbreak to Ramona deli – (https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/san-diego-county-health-officials-link-salmonella-outbreak-ramona-deli/509-44ecf194-08f9-4040-9ace-ac38dff83ed9)

Source-Medindia