Among the latest food recalls, the Center for Disease Control has issued a warning regarding onions and salmonella. As authorities attempt to track down the salmonella-spreading onions, consumers should avoid buying the produce until the source becomes identified. Generally, the CDC and the FDA has identified a Hailey, Idaho ProSource Inc. as the potential source of the outbreak.
According to People magazine, authorities opened an investigation into the outbreak after more than 650 people contracted salmonella. Following those reports, officials cited contaminated onions as the cause.
Authorities continue to work to locate and contain the affected shipments. For now, the FDA shared in a statement, “We are issuing this update early in our investigation as part of our continued commitment to transparency and early communication.”
As for the contaminated onions’ source, the news outlet stated the onions originated in Mexico. They then arrived at the ID ProSource location. From there came a multi-state salmonella contamination. The CDC further revealed that the 650+ salmonella cases spread across 37 different U.S. states. Additionally, of those cases, 129 have led to hospitalizations.
Health officials noted, following the recall, the bad onions came from an August 27th shipment. However, the produce could last for up to three months with proper care. ProSource further agreed to a voluntary recall on all yellow, red, and white onions originated in Chihuahua, Mexico. The decision comes “out of an abundance of caution.”
Recall Addresses Wide Variety of Onions
While authorities work to locate the onion shipments across the country, People stated that onion recall addresses a wide variety of the produce overall. ProSource Inc.’s voluntary recall includes those shipped between July 1st and August 27th. Additionally, the recall includes onions of the red, white, and yellow variety. At stores and restaurants, they could have labels including the terms jumbo, colossal, medium, and sweet.
Further, the ID-based produce company addressed the recall themselves. ProSource stated, “While investigations into various potential sources of Salmonella remain ongoing, to date no onions marketed through ProSource have tested positive for Salmonella.”
In order to combat additional cases of salmonella, the CDC recommends consumers dispose of onions lacking labels or packaging. For now, as the source of the outbreak remains uncertain, the agency stated, “If you can’t tell where the onions are from, don’t buy or eat them.” For now, it appears the only “safe” onions within the recall are those clearly labeled or bought at a farmer’s market.
For those who contract salmonella, the illness often passes in a period of four to seven days. As with most infections and illnesses, the most at-risk populations are children under five and adults older than 65, as well as those with weakened immune systems.
So far, the outlet reports no deaths have resulted prior to and following the recall.
