FDA traceback investigations have identified Thomson International, Inc. of Bakersfield, CA as a likely source of potentially contaminated red onions believed to be the source of a fulminating outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections in the United States and Canada.
The outbreak which began in mid-June in both countries, has infected 114 individuals in 5 Canadian provinces and 396 people across 34 US states.
Fifty-nine people have been hospitalized in the USA and 16 in Canada.
Thomson International has advised FDA that the company will be recalling all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, including red, white, yellow, and sweet onions.
The contaminated onions were distributed in Canada by Sysco, which has already issued a recall for its IMPERIAL FRESH – Jumbo red onions.
Consumers, retailers and food service establishments should avoid eating, selling or serving red, white, yellow or sweet onions from Thomson International.