A salmonella outbreak infected almost 400 people in more than 30 states and is being linked to red onions and a California company is identified as the source.
What We Know:
- Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, California, notified the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of its recall on a variety of its onions that may have come into contact with its potentially contaminated red onions. The variety includes red, white, yellow, and sweet onions form the company. Those who have onions with Thomson’s label on it are advised to not eat them.
- “Although red onions have been identified as the likely source, other types of onions may be contaminated due to the way onions are grown and harvested,” the CDC said in a statement. The names that the onions are distributed under are TII Premium, El Competitor, Hartley, Onions 52, Imperial Fresh, Utah Onions, and Food Lion. But the CDC warns people to not eat, sell, serve, or prepare any onions with foods if they do not know where they got the onions from.
- So far, exactly 396 people are infected and about 60 of them are being hospitalized. No deaths have been linked to the outbreak. The outbreak started between mid-June and mid-July but it wasn’t reported until July 10 and since then it has grown.
- The symptoms for salmonella are usually diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps and they last between four to seven days. Salmonella symptoms don’t last long and can go away without treatment. However, if symptoms get worst or continue longer than four to seven days, contacting a doctor is recommended. Calling a doctor when symptoms begin is also recommended.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating a salmonella outbreak similar to the one in the U.S. Since around the time the outbreak started in the U.S., Canada has had 114 cases of salmonella with 16 hospitalized and no fatalities. They, too, are warning people to avoid any interactions with red onions.
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