Some Utahns are sick after an onion recall

SALT LAKE CITY — Seventeen Utahns are sick from eating onions tainted with salmonella. But, state stores don’t sell them.

The onion recall announced Monday is for “Gill’s” Onions brand fresh diced onions. According to the CDC, contaminated items from the brand include lots of diced yellow onions, diced celery and onions, diced mirepoix and diced red onions. Other forms of onions should be safe for consumption.

The recall, the CDC said, is specifically for use-by dates between Aug. 8 and Aug. 28.

Luckily Utah is not among the six western states having to recall the onions, although it’s one of two states with the highest illness counts. It could be because our neighbor to the north, Idaho, does have to recall onions. 

The onion recall also affects Montana, Arizona, Oregon and Washington. 

Baylee Woolstenhulme is with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. She said Utahns don’t need to worry about foods that are prepared with onions. That includes things like freezer items.

“The FDA notice does not say whether or not those onions are being used in other prepared foods. As of right now, they are only recalling the Gill’s pre-diced onions in the bag,” Woolstenhulme said.

No Utah retailers carry the salmonella-affected brand of onions. However, 17 Utahns are sick from the onions, so it’s good to be on the lookout. If you do happen to see any “Gill’s” onions in a store, tell store management and call the state agriculture department.

“I think that Utahns should feel safe that we do not have any current recalls for any products in our state at this time,” Woolstenhulme said.

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