Onion Salmonella Outbreak – Is Your Store on the List?

Posted in Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls,Salmonella on August 7, 2020

By now you may have heard about the onion recall.  As more information surfaces during the investigation, the affected products are narrowed down and recalls are popping up everywhere. Is your store one of the ones that sold onions in the Onion Salmonella Outbreak?

Salmonella Outbreak Update

So far there have been 396 illnesses reported in the United States in 34 states that associated with this outbreak today.  A total of 59 have been hospitalized.  Affected states include: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with state and local partners have been investigating traceback information for this multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport.

Major Recalls Initiated

At this time Thomson International, Inc. of Bakersfield, California is fingered as the likely source of potentially contaminated red onions.  As a result, a recall was initiated for their red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions shipped between May 1, 2020 to August 1, 2020.

These onions were distributed in cartons of 5 lbs., 10 lbs., 25 lbs., 40 lbs., and 50 lbs.  They also were distributed in bulk mesh sacks of 2 lbs. 3 lbs., 5 lbs., 10 lbs., 25 lbs., and 50 lbs. under various brand names including:

• Thomson Premium
• TLC Thomson International
• Tender Loving Care
• El Competitor
• Hartley’s Best
• Onion 52
• Majestic
• Imperial Fresh
• Kroger
• Utah Onions
• Food Lion

Other manufacturers have issued recalls as a result, due to recalled product used as an ingredient in their products.  Taylor Farms recalled 6 products produced between July 30 and July 31, 2020 under the establishment numbers P-34733 or 34733.

These recalled products include:

• Sausage Breakfast Scramble Bowl (7.25 oz) with lots: TFD212AU8 and TFD213AU8
• Taylor Farms Cheddar Cheese & Chicken Salad Snack Tray (6.2 oz) with lots: TFD212AU7 and TFD213AU7
• Chicken Salad (41.25 oz) with lots: TFD212AU8 and TFD213AU8
• Chicken Salad Deli Snack (10 oz) with lots: TFD212AU3 and TFD213AU3
• E.B. Shake Rattle Bowl Southwest Salad with Chicken (7.75 oz) with lot: TFD213AU20
• Marketside Southwest Style Salad with Chicken (17.25 oz) with lots: TFD212AU26 and TFD213AU26

These products were shipped to retail locations in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Have You Shopped at These Stores?

The following stores have been indicated as retailers that carried product that was later recalled.  Do you shop at Aldi, Food Lion, Giant Eagle, Kroger, Smiths, Fry’s Fred Meyer, Publix, Stop &Shop, Giant Food Stores, or Walmart?  Check your fridges, counters, and pantries!

ALDI

Select ALDI’s stores sold red, white, and yellow onions sourced from Onions 52.  These included ALDI’s in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Sweet onions were removed from select stores in Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Check your home for the following products:

Food Lion

Select Food Lion stores sold red, white, and yellow onions in the produce section as well as sliced red onions and stir fry vegetables. Refer to the table below for specific products and purchase dates:

Giant Eagle

Select Giant Eagle stores are recalling a host of prepared food items including: Berry Salad for Two, Cajun Style Chicken, Cucumber Salad, MD Buffalo Chicken Salad, Italian Hero, Lemon Almond Chicken Salad, MD Caprese Salad, MD Greek Salad with Balsamic Dressing, Pepper Steak over Rice, Sheet Vegetable Pizza, Zucchini Pancakes, and more.  See table below for specific product information:

Kroger

Select Kroger Stores are recalling red, white, and small yellow onions.  See table below for specific dates and product information: 

 Fry’s and Smiths Stores

Select Fry’s and Smiths Stores are recalling red, white, and small yellow onions.  See table below for specific dates and product information:

Fred Meyer Stores

Select Fry’s and Smiths Stores are recalling red, white, and small yellow onions.  See table below for specific dates and product information:

Publix

Select Publix stores are recalling red onions sold in bulk.  See table below for specific product information:

Stop & Shop/Giant Food Stores

Stop & Shop and Giant Food Stores are recalling products made with Lancaster red onion products.  See table below for specific product information:

Walmart

Select Walmart stores are recalling red, white, yellow and sweet onions.  These stores are located in the states of: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

What Should I Do?

If you have purchased a recalled product there are a few very important steps you should take.  If you or someone in your family has consumed the recalled product or have fallen ill, seek medical attention immediately.  It is a good idea to safely retain recalled product in a sealed container for traceback investigation purposes.  Clean and sanitize any surface that the recalled product has come in contact with and wash your hands well with warm soapy water.

If or a loved one has fallen ill as a result of these recalls, the Salmonella Lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can advocate on your behalf.  Contact them for a free consultation.

By: Heather Van Tassell