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FSPCA - Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance

Thursday, November 18, 2021

FDA Provides Update on Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Onions from Mexico, Additional Recalls Issued

FDA released an update on the ongoing Salmonella outbreak associated with onions imported from Mexico.  There are now 892 cases with 183 hospitalizations.  This outbreak was first announced in October of this year.  There were additional recall updates published by FDA this week.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-oranienburg-whole-fresh-onions-october-2021
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.

As of November 12, 2021, CDC reports that there are 892 illnesses in 38 states and Puerto Rico.

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.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 892
Hospitalizations: 183
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: October 25, 2021
States with Cases: AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, 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

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/potandon-produce-updates-voluntary-recall-select-white-and-yellow-whole-onions-because-possible
Potandon Produce Updates Voluntary Recall of Select White and Yellow Whole Onions Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 15, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  November 15, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:  Potandon Produce L.L.C
Brand Name:  Green Giant Fresh
Product Description:  Whole yellow and white onions

Company Announcement

Potandon Produce L.L.C. of Idaho Falls, Idaho is updating its October 26 voluntary recall of onions supplied from Keeler Family Farms and sold as Green Giant Fresh to include 3lb. and 5lb. bags of whole yellow onions and 2 lb. bags of whole white onions shipped between July 15 and August 22, 2021 to a UNFI retail distribution center in Champaign, Illinois. This recall does not affect any other Green Giant Fresh products or include any Green Giant canned or frozen vegetable products.

The recalled onions are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

We have notified UNFI about this updated recall of onions sourced from Keeler Family Farms. A list of the additional recalled onions sourced from Keeler Family Farms is provided in Table 1 below. For easy reference, Table 2 includes the October 26 recalled items also sourced from Keeler Family Farms.

Potandon Produce is issuing this press release and keeping the U.S. Food and Drug Administration informed of its recall process to assure that consumers are properly alerted.

The recall was initiated after an onion-packer informed the company it had supplied Potandon Produce with onions recalled by Keeler Family Farms.

Anyone who has the recalled whole onions in their possession or has used them as an ingredient in a dish should not consume them and should either dispose of the product properly or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company’s recall coordinator at 1-800-637-8084, M-F from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Mountain Time, or visit its website at www.potandon.comExternal Link Disclaimer.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/alsum-farms-produce-voluntarily-recalls-select-yellow-white-and-red-onions-because-possible-health
Alsum Farms & Produce Voluntarily Recalls Select Yellow, White, and Red Onions Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  November 12, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  November 15, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:  Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc.
Brand Name:  Alsum Farms & Produce Inc.
Product Description:  Whole yellow, white, red onions

Company Announcement

Friesland, Wisconsin, November 12, 2021 — Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc. of Friesland, Wisconsin is voluntarily recalling Alsum Farms & Produce fresh whole yellow onions in 3 lb. bags, 5 lb. bags, and 50 lb. cartons; fresh whole white onions in 2 lb. bags; and fresh whole red onions in 2 lb. bags delivered to select retailers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania between July 13, 2021 and August 18, 2021. The recalled onions were imported from Chihuahua, Mexico. This only affects onions labeled “Produce of Mexico”. The recall does not impact any other Alsum Farms & Produce products.

“The health and safety of our customers is our top priority," said Heidi Randall, COO of Alsum Farms & Produce. “We advise consumers check their home pantries for any recalled product remaining to minimize even the slightest risk to public health.”

The affected onions were sourced from Keeler Family Farms and are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. Thoroughly cooking fresh onions to 165°F/ 74°C will kill the Salmonella bacteria.

To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with onions marketed through Keeler Family Farms. Click here for more information from the FDA about this supplier recall and the potentially related symptoms. This recall is being made with the knowledge of the US Food & Drug Administration. While there is no conclusive evidence that the products were contaminated, and the recalled onions are beyond the typical shelf life of fresh summer onions, this voluntary recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution.

For additional information please refer to the description, lot codes, and labels. Click hereExternal Link Disclaimer for highlighted codes.

Brand Packaging Description Lot Codes
Alsum 3 Lb. Bag Whole Yellow Onions
Produce of Mexico 049008,  099008, 109008,  119008,  149007
Alsum 5 Lb. Bag Whole Yellow Onions
Produce of Mexico 099008,  109008,  119008
Alsum 2 Lb. Bag Whole White Onions  
Produce of Mexico 169008 
Alsum 2 Lb. Bag Whole Red Onions
Produce of Mexico 039008,  099008,  109008,  139007,  139008,
Alsum 50 lb. Carton Whole Yellow Onions

Produce of Mexico Labeled
Produce of Mexico

Anyone who has the recalled fresh onions in their possession or has used them as an ingredient in a dish should not consume them and should either dispose of the product properly or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact the Company at 1-800-236-5127 ext. 6703, M-F from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm Central Time.

About Alsum Farms & Produce

Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc., is a grower and shipper of potatoes, re-packer of onions and a wholesale distributor of a full line of fresh fruits and vegetables. Headquartered in Friesland, Wisconsin, Alsum Farms is also a member of the eco-friendly Wisconsin Healthy Grown® Program.

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