FDA Issues Warning on Chopped Fresh Onions from CA Processor After Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Thompson infections linked to fresh diced onions from Gills Onions of Oxnard, California.  Based on epidemiological data collected by CDC, 14 of 19 cases with information available reported exposure to fresh diced onions before becoming ill. Additionally, based on traceback data collected by FDA, FDA determined that onions processed at Gills Onions were available at points of service where people ate prior to becoming ill.

Gill Onions issued a recall of numerous lots of fresh diced onion product.

As you may recall, Gill Onion had a large recall of onions in 2012 after Listeria was detected in product.  The company had implemented an aggressive program to prevent Listeria.  
Check out the company's food safety page that has an accompanying video. 

https://gillsonions.com/food-safety/

https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-onions-october-2023
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Onions (October 2023)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled diced onion products. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 73
Hospitalizations: 15
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: September 25, 2023
States with Cases: AZ, CA, CO, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, MA, MI, MT, NY, ND, OH, OR, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY
Foodservice Product Distribution*: Nationwide and Canada
Retail Product Distribution*: AZ, CA, ID, MT, OR, WA
*Distribution has been confirmed for locations listed, but product could have been distributed further.

Current Update
October 24, 2023

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Thompson infections linked to fresh diced onions from Gills Onions of Oxnard, California.

Based on epidemiological data collected by CDC, 14 of 19 cases with information available reported exposure to fresh diced onions before becoming ill. Additionally, based on traceback data collected by FDA, FDA determined that onions processed at Gills Onions were available at points of service where people ate prior to becoming ill.

In response to this investigation, Gills Onions has voluntarily recalled diced yellow onion, diced onions & celery, diced mirepoix, and diced red onions.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.

Recalled Product

In response to this investigation, Gills Onions has voluntarily recalled diced yellow onion, diced onions & celery, diced mirepoix, and diced red onions. A full list of recalled retail products, including lot numbers, lot codes, and names of retail outlets can be found in the recall announcement.

International Distribution for Recalled Products

The recall impacts markets outside of the United States. Customer information provided by the firm shows that product was also distributed to foodservice customers to Canada. The firm has directly notified foodservice customers who received recalled product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gills-onions-voluntarily-recalls-select-lots-fresh-diced-onion-products-because-possible-health-risk
Gills Onions Voluntarily Recalls Select Lots of Fresh Diced Onion Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  October 23, 2023
FDA Publish Date:  October 23, 2023
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Salmonella
Company Name:  Gills Onions
Brand Name:  Gills Onions
Product Description:  Diced onions

Company Announcement

October 23, 2023 – Gills Onions of Oxnard, CA is voluntarily recalling Gills Onions branded fresh diced onions products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that 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. Symptoms usually occur within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually last four to seven days.

Consumers: The recalled products, which were sent to Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, are identified in the table below. These recalled products are well beyond their August 2023 use-by-dates, and are no longer available for sale in stores. Please check for product description in table below. We recognize that the recalled onions or foods with those onions as an ingredient could be in consumers’ freezers. Anyone who has an expired, recalled product in their possession should not consume it and should destroy or discard it.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled product and have questions may contact Gills Onions at 1-800-348-2255, or visit our website at www.gillsonions.comExternal Link Disclaimer for a copy of this press release and photos of the recalled products.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Food safety and public health are our priorities, so the company initiated the recall after the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) notified it that the recalled products were part of the agency’s traceback investigation into an ongoing Salmonella Thompson outbreak. Out of an abundance of caution, the company’s recall and the table below include all products produced on the same day and on the same production lines as the implicated onions.

Gills Onions has notified its customers who received the recalled product directly from the company and requested that they remove it from commerce. We also asked direct customers to notify their customers of this recall.

10/23/23 Firm-Initiated Recall
Product Description UPC* Use-by date Lot codes located on  the side of the cups  or back of the bags State Retail outlet

Gills Onions Brand
3 lb. bags, diced yellow onions 643550000320 8/18/23 223YAS2B2R212 California Smart & Final
8/25/23 223YAS3A2R219
8/11/23 223YAC2A2R205 Arizona and
California Bashas Markets and Smart & Final
8/14/23 223YAS3A2R208
8/28/23 223YAS2A2R222
8/11/23 223YAC2A2R205 California
Oregon
Washington
Idaho

Montana Smart & Final and CHEF'STORE
8/14/23 223YAS3A2R208
8/18/23 223YAS2A2R212
8/21/23 223YAS3A2R215
8/25/23 223YAM3A2R219
8/28/23 223YAS2A2R222

Gills Onions Brand
8 oz cups, diced
yellow onions 643550000658 8/15/23 223YAS3A1Z209 Arizona and
California Bashas Markets, Smart & Final, and Stater Bros.
8/19/23 223YAM4A1Z213
8/21/23 223YAS3A1Z215
8/26/23 223YAS3A1Z220
8/28/23 223YAM4A1Z222
8/12/23 223YAC2A1Z206 California Stater Bros
8/14/23 223YAS3A1Z208 California Smart & Final and

Stater Bros
Gills Onions Brand
8 oz cups, diced  celery & onions 643550000696 8/15/23 223YAS3A1Z209 Arizona and
California Bashas Markets,  Smart & Final, and  Stater Bros
8/21/23 223YAS3A1Z215
8/28/23 223YAS3A1Z222
8/28/23 223YAM4A1Z222 California Smart & Final
Gills Onions Brand
10 oz cups, diced
mirepoix 643550000788 8/8/23 223YAC2A1Z206 California Smart & Final
8/11/23 223YAS3A1Z209
8/15/23 223YAM4A1Z213
8/17/23 223YAS3A1Z215
8/22/23 223YAS3A1Z220
8/24/23 223YAM4A1Z222

Gills Onions Brand
8 oz cups, diced red
onions 643550000641 8/12/23 123RAC1A1Z206 California Stater Bros  Smart & Final
8/28/23 223RAB1A1Z222
8/19/23 123RAB1A1Z213 California Stater Bros
8/15/23 123RAB1A1Z209 California Smart & Final
8/14/23 123RAB1A1Z208 Arizona and

California Bashas Markets,  Smart & Final, and  Stater Bros
8/21/23 123RAB1A1Z215
8/26/23 223RAB1A1Z220

*The UPC code alone does NOT identify the product. The UPC, brand, and expiration date, together, identify the recalled product