Salmonella Sickens Hundreds: Onions Recalled, Novato

NOVATO, CA — Novato residents should check their refrigerators and pantries for onions and products made with them. A California producer has been linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened hundreds of people in 43 states, including at least 76 in California.

Only Oregon and Utah have reported more cases than the Golden State. No deaths have been linked to the recalled onions.

"People sickened in this outbreak reported eating onions in freshly prepared foods, including salads, sandwiches, tacos, salsas, and dips," according to an alert from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The onions have also been used in prepared foods such as macaroni salad, fajita kits and pizzas, triggering additional recalls.

The CDC urged consumers to ask restaurants and grocery stores about the source of onions in prepared foods and produce sections. If the source is unknown, skip the onions.

On Aug. 1, Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield voluntarily recalled red, yellow, white and sweet yellow onions for possible salmonella contamination, according to the CDC. The affected produce was shipped between May 1 and the date of the recall.

At least 85 people have been hospitalized, according to the CDC.

Some of the onions were sold at Walmart, Kroger, Fred Meyer, Publix, Giant Eagle, Food Lion and H-E-B, the CDC said. Onions were sold under a variety of brand names, including Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, Tender Loving Care, El Competitor, Hartley's Best, Onions 52, Majestic, Imperial Fresh, Kroger, Utah Onions, and Food Lion, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

See the complete list of recalled products. Check the recall notice to see UPCs and pictures of the products.

On Aug. 5, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert for products made with the recalled onions. Several companies including Taylor Farms and Giant Eagle also recalled products made with the onions, including chicken salad, macaroni salad, fajita stir fry, pizza and diced raw onions.

See a complete list of products made with the recalled onions.

The CDC said people should check their homes for the recalled products and throw away the affected items.

"Do not eat them or try to cook the onions or other food to make it safe," the CDC said.

Signs of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps between six hours and six days after exposure to the bacteria. Children under age 5, people over 65, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to experience severe illness.

In some cases, the infection can spread from the intestines to other parts of the body and require hospitalization.

The CDC encouraged anyone with symptoms of salmonella poisoning to contact a doctor, write down what they ate the week before they became sick, report the illness to the health department and communicate with health investigators about their illness.

By Patch editors Megan VerHelst and Bea Karnes