Red onion salmonella sickens hundreds

Outbreak has impacted U.S. and Canada

VANCOUVER • The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is warning people in the province to check where their red onions came from amid a salmonella outbreak that has sickened hundreds.

As of Friday, there were 239 confirmed cases in Canada, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, with the highest number — 149 — in Alberta. Twenty nine people were hospitalized, and none have died. The B.C. CDC says 69 cases of salmonella have been reported in the province since mid-june.

The New York Times reports that the same outbreak has sickened people across 43 states in the U.S., with 640 U.S. cases by Sunday linked to the one spot, bringing the total between the U.S. and Canada to nearly 900.

A total of 85 people had been hospitalized in the U.S., the Times reported.

It says the contaminated vegetable is coming from Thomson International Inc.

PRODUCTS INCLUDE RED, YELLOW, WHITE AND SWEET YELLOW.

in Bakersfield, Calif. The company has recalled all varieties of onion that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onion. The B.C. CDC advises people not to eat, use, sell or serve any red, white, yellow and sweet yellow onions from the company, as well as any products made with those onions. In a statement on its website, the U.S. FDA relayed the names and varieties of products suspected of being at risk:

“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.”

While there is no evidence to suggest that Canadian-grown onions are part of the outbreak, the B.C. CDC says not to eat onions if the source is unknown. Salmonella infection symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. They develop six hours to seven days after exposure. Symptoms last four to seven days typically, and most people recover without treatment. Those with severe or ongoing symptoms are asked to contact Healthlinkbc at 8-1-1- or their health-care provider.