FDA provided an update on the Salmonella outbreak associated with onions from Thomson International. AS of 8/18/2020, there are 869 cases with 116 hospitalized. As for cause, the investigation is till ongoing.
In a related recall, HelloFresh is directly its customers to discard all onions received from May 8 through July 31, 2020 after it was notified by its supplier that it used the recall onions.
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-newport-red-onions-july-2020
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Newport: Red Onions (July 2020)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled onions from Thomson International, Inc. or products containing recalled onions..
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 869
Hospitalizations: 116
Deaths: 0
Illness Onset Date Range: August 4, 2020
States with Cases: AK (15), AL (1), AZ (35), AR (2), CA (115), CO (25), CT (2), DE (2), FL (5), GA (6), HI (3), ID (34), IL (49), IN (3), IA (23), KS (2), KY (1), ME (5), MD (7), MA (2), MI (44), MN (18), MS (4), MO (10), MT (63), NE (10), NV (11), NH (1), NJ (2), NM (1), NY (10), NC (5), ND (9), OH (11), OR (94), PA (15), RI (2), SC (1), SD (20), TN (5), TX(2), UT (105), VA (10), WA (50), WV (2), WI (10), WY (17)
The FDA, along with CDC, Canadian, state, and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified Thomson International, Inc. of Bakersfield, CA as a likely source of potentially contaminated red onions.
On August 1, 2020, Thomson International, Inc. recalled all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, due to the risk of cross-contamination. Recalled products include red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions shipped nationwide from May 1, 2020 to August 1, 2020, sold under the following 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.
Recalls have also been initiated by companies that sold onions or products containing the recalled onions. FDA has published a list of Recalls of Food Products Associated with Onions from Thomson International, Inc. and USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has published a list of Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Containing Recalled Onions. These recall lists will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
Recommendations
Advice for consumers, restaurants, and retailers: Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled onions from Thomson International, Inc. or products containing recalled onions. If you cannot tell if your onion is part of the recall, or your food product contains recalled onions, you should not eat, sell, or serve it, and should throw it out.
FDA recommends that anyone who received or suspects having received recalled onions, or products containing recalled onions, use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with recalled products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This includes cutting boards, slicers, countertops, refrigerators, and storage bins.
Consumers who have symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their health care provider. Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.
Suppliers and Distributors: Suppliers, distributors and others in the supply chain should not use, ship or sell recalled onions from Thomson International, Inc. or food products containing recalled onions. Suppliers and distributors that re-package raw onions should use extra vigilance in cleaning any surfaces and storage areas that may have come into contact with recalled onions. If there has been potential cross contamination or mixing of onions from other sources with recalled onions, suppliers and distributors should discard all comingled and potentially cross-contaminated product.
Investigation Update
August 18, 2020
The FDA investigation at Thomson International, Inc. ongoing. As part of the root cause investigation at Thomson International, Inc., FDA is collecting and analyzing product, water, and environmental samples.
Following the recall from Thomson International, Inc., additional products containing recalled onions have been identified and recalled. Available recall information is included below and will be updated as more products are identified and recalled.
Recall Information
Recalled Onions
On August 1, 2020, Thomson International, Inc. recalled all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, due to the risk of cross-contamination. Recalled products include red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions shipped from May 1, 2020 to August 1, 2020. Onions were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants, and retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.
Recalls have also been initiated by companies that sold onions or products containing recalled onions.
FDA’s List of Recalls of Food Products Associated with Onions from Thomson International, Inc.
FSIS Public Health Alert For Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Containing FDA-Regulated Onions that have been Recalled
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/urgent-onion-recall-notification
Urgent Onion Recall NotificationSummary
Company Announcement Date: August 19, 2020
FDA Publish Date: August 19, 2020
Product Type: Food & Beverages Produce
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement: Potential Salmonella Contamination
Company Name: HelloFresh
Brand Name: Hello Fresh
Product Description: Onions
Company Announcement
HelloFresh has been informed by one of its ingredient suppliers that it is conducting a voluntary recall of its onions due to the potential presence of salmonella bacteria. Please discard all onions received from May 8 through July 31, 2020.
We recommend disposing of all onions received during the specified time period. For further information on whether you have been impacted, please check the product codes, located on the bottom square of your box shipping label. Please see the photo provided below as reference for locating the product code.
Production Week
Production Week Start Date
HelloFresh Product Codes*
*Number sequence may vary
Everyplate Product Codes*
*Number sequence may vary
20 5/08 2-3-5-6-17 81-82-84-86-92-94
215/15 2-8-15-19 82-86-83-93
22 5/22 2-5-6-9-20 87-88-89-93-90-94
23 5/29 6-8-9-15-B- 3-5-20 82-84-86-87-89-91-92-95
24 6/5 6-8-17- B 82-84-86-89-90-95-83-93
25 6/12 3-4-10-15-18-17-19-20 82-87-88-95-82-87-88-95
26 6/19 2-3- 8-12 88-89-84-93
27 6/26 5-17- 4-15-18-20 82-87-89-90-91- 84-92-93
28 7/3 3-9-10-12-15-17- 6 85-86-90-91
29 7/10 3-20-7-21 82-88-89-90-92-96
307/17 4-19-21 82-84-89-94-96- 83-95
31 7/24 2-3-4-19-7-8-16 82-92- 81-84-87-89-94-96-98
As noted above, customers should immediately discard all onions received. We also recommend extra caution in disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces and containers that may have come in direct contact with these products, as recommended by the FDA. In the event that the onions have been consumed, please note that thoroughly cooking the product to 165ºF/74ºC, as instructed by the recipe, will kill the salmonella bacteria.
If you are experiencing any symptoms, including but not limited to, fever, diarrhea, or nausea, please contact your healthcare provider immediately. Click here for more information from the FDA about this supplier recall and the potentially related symptoms.
We sincerely apologize for this supplier-related incident. Your safety is our highest priority and we have taken immediate steps to ensure our onions are no longer sourced from this supplier. All HelloFresh facilities are SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified, which is the highest level of food safety certification and our teams follow a rigorous process to maintain the safety and quality of our meal kits. If you have any additional questions, please contact HelloFresh at hello@hellofresh.com.
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