FDA and Thomson International announce onion recall
This post has been updated August 15, 2020. FOR COMPLETE THOMSON INTERNATIONAL ONION RECALL UPDATE, GO HERE – ONION RECALL UPDATE.
Thomson International is voluntarily recalling red, yellow, white and sweet onions that have been shipped to producers from May 1, 2020 through present.
This recall has been elevated to an outbreak investigation led by the FDA – as of August 12, 2020, Thomson International red onions are potentially the likely source but investigations are ongoing.
The FDA is currently conducting traceback investigations to gain certainty to the scope and source of the Salmonella contamination.
This is a large recall and investigation that is ongoing – for the most up to date information on the FDA onion recall, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions – Thomson International onion recall
Thomson International sells to retailers, wholesalers, food service operations and processors throughout North America.
Thomson International is based in Bakersfield, California and exports product globally, including Canada.
August 1, 2020
August 1, 2020
Onions.
Brand names associated with the onion recall
Thomson Premium
TLC Thomson International
Tender Loving Care
El Competitor
Hartley’s Best
Onions 52
Majestic
Imperial Fresh
Kroger
Utah Onions
Food Lion
Onions that have been recalled were distributed to retailers, grocery stores and restaurants in different packaging, including
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
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’re not sure, be safe.
Do not eat.
Do not sell.
Do not serve.
Throw them out.
Salmonella bacteria are the most frequently reported cause of foodborne illness.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
Salmonella bacteria can cause diarrheal illness in humans. Salmonella are microscopic bacteria that are passed from the feces of people or animals to other people or other animals.
If food is contaminated with salmonella, it does not usually affect the taste, smell or appearance of the food.
Otherwise healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
People infected with salmonella can experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 8 to 72 hours after the contaminated food was eaten.
Additional symptoms may be chills, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
Symptoms usually disappear within 4 to 7 days.
Many people with salmonellosis recover without treatment and may never see a doctor.
However, salmonella infections can be life-threatening especially for infants and young children, pregnant women and their unborn babies, and older adults, who are at a higher risk for foodborne illness, as are people with weakened immune systems (such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, and transplant patients).
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.
Yes, there can be.
Persons with diarrhea usually recover completely, although it may be several months before their bowel habits are entirely normal.
A small number of persons who are infected with Salmonella may develop pains in their joints, irritation of the eyes, and painful urination.
This is called Reiter’s syndrome.
It can last for months or years and can lead to chronic arthritis that is difficult to treat.
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Salmonella lives in the intestinal track of humans and other animals, including birds.
Salmonella is usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces.
Salmonella can cause foodborne illness (salmonellosis) through cross-contamination, e.g., when juices from raw meat or poultry come in contact with ready-to-eat foods, such as salads or potentially in this case salsa.
Food may also become contaminated by the unwashed hands of an infected food handler who might or might not be showing symptoms.
Salmonella can also be found in the feces of some pets, especially those with diarrhea.
People can become infected if they do not wash their hands after contact with these feces.
Reptiles are particularly likely to harbor Salmonella.
People should always wash their hands immediately after handling a reptile, even if the reptile is healthy.
Any raw food of animal origin, such as meat, poultry, milk and dairy products, eggs, seafood, and some fruits and vegetables may carry Salmonella bacteria.
In this case, Thomson red onions are believed to be the source of the Salmonella contamination.
The bacteria can also contaminate other foods that come in contact with raw meat and poultry.
Thomson Premium
TLC Thomson International
Tender Loving Care
El Competitor
Hartley’s Best
Onions 52
Majestic
Imperial Fresh
Kroger
Utah Onions
Food Lion
As of August 1, 2020 396 total illnesses have been reported to date including 59 hospitalizations. States with cases include: AK (6), AZ (14), CA (49), CO (10), FL (3), ID (5), IL (10), IN (2), IA (15), KS (1), KY (1), ME (4), MD (1), MI (23), MN (10), MO (6), MT (33), NE (5), NV (5), NY (4), NC (3), ND (5), OH (7), OR (71), PA (2), SC (1), SD (11), TN (5), TX (1), UT (61), VA (4), WA (2), WI (5), and WY (11).
For updated illness statistics on this onion recall, please go to this page – Onion Recall Update.
