On August 1, Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, Calif. issued a recall of its Red, Yellow, White, and Sweet Yellow Onions due to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak.
The onions have been a major cause for concern as they have been the source of a multistate outbreak in shipments beginning on May 1. Amidst a global pandemic, the US Food and Drug Administration reports nearly 400 illnesses have been reported, including 59 hospitalizations, across 34 states.
They were shipped to wholesalers, restaurants, and retail stores across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada.
As of today, no specific shipment or source of contamination has been identified. Though the Centers for Disease Control reports that “red onions are the likely source of this outbreak”, Thomson decided to recall all of its onions in an abundance of caution due to cross-contamination and the way onions are grown and harvested.
Salmonella in Thomson Onions
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal health conditions, especially in those with compromised immune systems, elderly, and young children. Healthy people who have been exposed to Salmonella may experience fever, diarrhea (which can be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The illness typically lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.
In very rare circumstances, Salmonella infection can get into the bloodstream through the intestines and produce arterial infections (infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.
Advice to consumers, restaurants, and retailers: do not eat, sell, or serve these onions. It is safer to assume your onions contain Salmonella if you cannot identify where it came from.
Where were the onions sold?
The onions were distributed under brand names:
- Thomson Premium
- TLC Thomson International
- Tender Loving Care
- El Competitor
- Hartley’s Best
- Onions 52
- Majestic
- Imperial Fresh
- Kroger
- Utah Onions
- Food Lion
They were distributed in 5 lbs. carton; 10 lbs. carton; 25 lbs. carton; 40 lbs. carton; 50 lbs. carton. bulk; 2 lb. mesh sacks; 3 lb. mesh sacks; 5 lb. mesh sacks; 10 lb. mesh sacks; 25 lbs. mesh sacks; 50 lbs. mesh sacks.
Questions About an Onion Recall Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Lawyer for a Free Case Review.
If you or a loved one have been sickened with salmonella due to the multistate onion recall, you should contact our food poisoning and outbreak lawyers as soon as possible. Compensation may be available to you by filing a food poisoning lawsuit against the manufacturers of the tainted product(s).
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