According to the Food and Drug Administration, Health officials in the U.S. are investigating a salmonella outbreak connected to red onions, which has caused nearly 400 cases reported in 34 states in July, including in Florida.
The outbreak of salmonella newport has been tied to red, white, yellow, and sweet onions from Thomson International, a supplier headquartered in Bakersfield, Calif.
So far, officials have reported 396 illnesses and 59 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.
The salmonella newport outbreak tied to red onions is a different strain than another happening in the U.S. which has sickened hundreds of people in 48 states. The other strain has been linked to poultry raised in backyards of homes.
Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve red, white, yellow, or sweet onions from Thomson International, Inc. or products containing such onions. If you cannot tell if your onion is from Thomson International Inc., or your food product contains such onions, you should not eat, sell, or serve it, and should throw it out.
FDA recommends that anyone who received or suspects having received onions from Thomson International, Inc. 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 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.
