BOISE, Idaho — Federal officials say an outbreak of salmonella infecting 663 people in 45 states -- including Idaho and Oregon -- has been linked to red onions and identified a California company as the likely source.
The Food and Drug Administration says Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, California, notified the agency that it will be recalling all varieties of onions such as white, yellow, or sweet yellow that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, because of the risk of cross-contamination. Thomson couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
The onions were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants, and retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada, according to the FDA.
The onions were sold under the brand names Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, Tender Loving Care, El Competitor, Hartley’s Best, Onions 52, Majestic, Imperial Fresh, Kroger, Utah Onions, and Food Lion.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare confirms that the onions have sickened 26 people in the state, and possibly more.
People reported eating raw onions in freshly prepared foods including salads, sandwiches, wraps, salsas, and dips.
"Because onions have a fairly long shelf life, we are concerned that consumers may still have these products in their homes," said Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, epidemiologist with the Division of Public Health in DHW. "We recommend that you throw away any onions you have in your pantry."
The FDA says that salmonella symptoms include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. People who may have Thomson International onions or have prepared food with the onions are advised to throw the onions away and disinfect the surfaces.
If you don't know the brand name of your onion, you should throw it out to be safe, according to the FDA.
More information, including photos of brand tags, is on the FDA's website.
Below is a list of symptoms associated with salmonella infection, as provided by the CDC:
- Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria.
- The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
- In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other places in the body.
- Children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
Visit the FDA recall website for details, including pictures of the recalled products.
Learn more about the outbreak, visit the CDC page.