Have any red onions in your pantry? You might want to double-check them or throw them out to be on the safe side. According to the FDA, Thomson International Inc. is voluntarily recalling several varieties of onions due to a potential salmonella contamination risk. A statement on the Food and Drug Administration website shared, "Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, California is recalling Red, Yellow, White, and Sweet Yellow Onions shipped from May 1, 2020 through the present." The statement also shared how widespread the onions were shipped and sold.
The onions were distributed in 5 lbs. carton. 10 lbs. carton. 25 lbs. carton. 40 lbs. carton, 50 lbs. carton. bulk, 2 lb. mesh sacks, and 3 lb. mesh sacks, 5 lb. mesh sacks, 10 lb. mesh sacks 25 lbs. mesh sacks, 50 lbs. mesh sacks 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. Grocery stores have been notified to remove the recalled onions from their shelves.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with Food and Drug Administration health officials are currently investigating the specific source of contamination. The CDC has yet to find the specific food products that are the likely source of the outbreak.
What is Salmonella?
The CDC currently reports 396 illnesses to date along with 59 hospitalizations regarding the salmonella outbreak. So far California has received the brut of it, with 49 cases so far.
Salmonella is an organism that can be deadly to the elderly, children, and people with compromised immune systems. Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In severe cases, salmonella can cause arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Skip the fresh and use freeze-dried.
Freeze-Dried Onions
Customers with questions about the red onion recall may call Kim Earnshaw at 661-845-1111.
