CDC says certain whole onions from Mexico are linked to Salmonella

Utah is among 37 American states where hundreds of people have been sickened by fresh, whole onions tainted with Salmonella. 

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), the onions are linked to Chihuahua, Mexico and were distributed by ProSource Inc. 

Investigators are now looking into other onion growers and distributors. 

For the time being, all whole red, white, and yellow onions from ProSource Inc are suspicious. These onions have been distributed to restaurants and grocery stores across the United States. 

The CDC reported that these specific onions from Mexico were last imported in late August, but that they can remain “up to three months in storage and may still be in homes and businesses.”

A CDC food safety announcement reported

“Interviews with sick people show that 75% of people ate or possibly ate raw onions or dishes likely containing raw onions before they became sick. Several ill people reported eating at the same restaurants, indicating they may be part of illness clusters.”

Recommendations to avoid onions tainted with Salmonella

The CDC recommends that you throw out any onions that do not have a sticker or packaging. Consumers should also wash surfaces and containers, with soap and hot water, that may have come into contact with the onions.

CDC also recommends that you do not buy or eat any onions from ProSource Inc. or Chihuahua, Mexico. 

The agency said that any unidentifiable onions could be from this bad batch.

The CDC also advises that you call your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any Salmonella symptoms.

Those symptoms can include a fever higher than 102°F, diarrhea, inability to keep down liquids (vomiting), and signs of dehydration. 

 

Read more:

• Men wash their hands much less often than women

• Romaine lettuce at the heart of nationwide CDC Food Safety Alert

• Since pandemic started, Utah Food Bank sees hunger need triple