Update on Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Onions - Additional Cases and Additional Companies Issue Recalls for Onions

There are now 808 cases of Salmonella with 157 hospitalizations linked to onions. Additional companies that sold those onions or used them in products issued recalls.  Canadian companies also issued recalls for onions.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 808
Hospitalizations: 157
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: October 13, 2021
States with Cases: AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV
Product Distribution: Nationwide

In addition to Prosource and Keeler Family Farms

Potandon Produce L.L.C. of Idaho Falls, Idaho is voluntarily recalling Green Giant Fresh whole yellow onions in 2 lb. bags, 3 lb. bags, and 5 lb. bags; whole white onions in 2 lb. bags; and whole red onions in 2 lb. bags delivered directly to three UNFI retail distribution centers (DCs) in Fargo, North Dakota; Bismarck, North Dakota and Hopkins, Minnesota between July 9 and Aug 6, 2021. This recall does not affect any other Green Giant Fresh products or include any Green Giant canned or frozen vegetable products.

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 July 7, 2021 through September 8, 2021.

EveryPlate 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 July 7, 2021 through September 8, 2021. We recommend disposing of onions received during the specified time period. Please note that onions received after September 8, 2021 are not affected by this recall. 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.

Canada

Gwillimdale Farms brand Onions, Product of Mexico recalled due to Salmonella
Goodfood brand Onions recalled due to Salmonella

Dorsey brand, MVP brand, Pier-C brand, and Riga Farms brand Onions, Product of Mexico recalled due to Salmonella

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-oranienburg-whole-fresh-onions-october-2021?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Oranienburg: Whole, Fresh Onions (October 2021)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled onions from ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified ProSource Produce, LLC (also known as ProSource Inc.) of Hailey, Idaho, and Keeler Family Farms of Deming, New Mexico, as suppliers of potentially contaminated whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.

FDA has posted a list of additional recalls being conducted by retailers that may have received recall onions from ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms. This list includes recalls conducted by companies that further processed the onions by using them as ingredients in new products or by repackaging them. It is possible that this list may not include all retailers who have received these onions; however, this list is based on the best information currently available to the FDA and will be updated as more information becomes available.

As of October 29, the CDC is reporting that there are 808 illnesses across 37 states and Puerto Rico. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued an advisoryExternal Link Disclaimer for recalled onions that were imported to Canada. To date, there are no illnesses in Canada linked to this outbreak.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and if additional products or firms are linked to illness. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Recommendation

Advice for restaurants, retailers and consumers: Do not eat, sell or serve recalled onions, or products containing recalled onions. All recalled onions were supplied by ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms and imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico between July 1, 2021 and August 31, 2021. FDA has posted a list of additional recalls being conducted by retailers that may have received recall onions from ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms. This list includes recalls conducted by companies that further processed the onions by using them as ingredients in new products or by repackaging them. It is possible that this list may not include all retailers who have received these onions; however, this list is based on the best information currently available to the FDA and will be updated as more information becomes available. If you cannot tell if your onions were recalled, do not eat, sell, or serve them and throw them out.

Onions may last up to three months if stored in a cool, dry place. Restaurants, retailers, and consumers who suspect having purchased such onions may still have them in storage and should not eat, sell, or serve them, and should throw them out.

FDA recommends that anyone who received or suspects having received recalled onions use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This includes cleaning and sanitizing cutting boards, slicers, countertops, refrigerators, displays, 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: Do not use, ship, or sell 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 these products. If there has been potential cross contamination or mixing of onions from other sources with these products, suppliers and distributors should discard all comingled and potentially cross-contaminated product.