More than 70 people across seven states have been sickened due to a salmonella outbreak linked to eggs recalled by a California-based egg distributor, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Almost 2 million cartons of eggs across the United States have been pulled off shelves because of the threat of a salmonella outbreak. The recall, announced Friday by California-based manufacturer August Egg Co.

The recall, initiated by the August Egg Company based in Hilmar, California, follows reports of 79 illnesses across seven states, with 21 hospitalisations.