Onion reminder: Salmonella outbreak linked to onions extends to hundreds of people sick in 43 states

LOS ANGELES – Health officials say a salmonella outbreak is linked to red onions from a California supplier hundreds of more people sick than originally reported.

The memory is also extended to salads, sandwiches and other products produced by a multi-state supermarket chain and a Texas-based health food company.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 640 cases and 85 hospitalizations in 43 states as of Friday. This count reflects an additional 244 patients and 26 hospitals admitted to 10 new states: Alabama (1), Connecticut (2), Delaware (1), Georgia (1), Massachusetts (2), Mississippi (2), New Hampshire (1) ), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (1) and West Virginia (2).

The FDA investigates Thomson International, Inc. of Bakersfield, Calif., as a probable source of potentially contaminated red onions. The company published a voluntary reminder of all its onions – red, white, yellow and sweet – due to possible cross-contamination.

Taylor Farms Texas in Dallas and Giant Eagle – with stores throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Maryland – have given voluntary reminders of onions and onion products. Both companies received reports of illness related to their products.

States with previously reported cases include Alaska (6), Arizona (14), California (76), Colorado (14), Florida (3), Idaho (26), Illinois (41), Indiana (2), Iowa (20) , Kansas (2), Kentucky (1), Maine (4), Maryland (1), Michigan (36), Minnesota (14), Missouri (6), Montana (52), Nebraska (10), Nevada (8) , New York (5), North Carolina (5), North Dakota (8), Ohio (8), Oregon (85), Pennsylvania (9), South Carolina (1), South Dakota (17), Tennessee (5), Utah (90), Virginia (8), Washington (25), Wisconsin (7) and Wyoming (16). Texas is no longer listed as a state with a reported case.

No deaths were reported.

Consumer advice

The CDC issued the following recommendations to consumers trying to prevent contaminated onions:

At home, check your refrigerator and kitchen. Check the package or look for a sticker on the onion to see if it is from Thomson International, Inc. If it is, do not do it. Throw it away. Other brands that may be on labels include Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, Tender Loving Care, El Competitor, Hartley’s Best, Onions 52, Majestic, Imperial Fresh, Kroger, Utah Onions en Food Lion.

Check premade products. Some foods made with recalled onions have also been recalled. This includes deli salads and vegetable mixes.

If you can not tell where your onions come from, do not eat them. Throw them away.

Wash and sanitize. Clean all surfaces that may come in contact with onions as their packaging, such as lighters, storage trays, refrigerators, knives and cutting boards.

Check with restaurants and groceries. If you order food at a restaurant or store, make sure they do not serve or sell uncooked onions from Thomson International, Inc., or any food prepared with returned onions, including foods such as salads, sandwiches, tacos, salsas and dips.

What is salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacterium that can give you an infection called salmonellosis. Most human infections are caused by the consumption of food contaminated with the bacteria, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A contract of an intestinal infection of salmonella can lead to diarrhea, fever and cramps in the stomach. These symptoms usually appear within three days after infection and usually go away in four to seven days.

In some cases, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and other parts of the body. These cases are associated with more severe diarrhea, which can lead to hospitalization. Severe cases can be fatal if not treated immediately with antibiotics.