The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a food safety alert after people in 22 states, including Illinois, reported Salmonella infections after eating onions. According to the alert, a multistate Salmonella outbreak has resulted in 73 illnesses in 22 states, with 15 people hospitalized and no deaths reported.
The active investigation revealed that onions processed at “Gill Onions” may be the cause of the outbreak, the alert said. 14 of 19 people sickened reported eating onions or being served diced onions, the CDC said. Six of those people resided in long-term care facilities, the alert went on to say.
Affected products include some lots of diced yellow onions, 8 oz. cups of diced celery and onions, 10 oz. cups of diced mirepoix and 8 oz. cups of diced red onions, with use-by dates between Aug. 8 and Aug. 28. The products were sold in select stores, restaurants and institutions across the U.S. and in Canada, the alert said.
Earlier this week, Gills Onions issued a voluntary recall notice for the impacted products, which the CDC said were sent to Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington.
Four people sickened in Illinois were believed to be part of the outbreak. Other states included in the Salmonella outbreak were California, Utah, Montana, Oregon, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia.
California and Utah saw the most illnesses connected to the outbreak, with 17 people sickened in each state.
Most people with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, the CDC says, with symptoms typically starting six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria. “Some people—especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization,” the CDC said.
The CDC is urging people to check their homes for any of the products listed in the recall and to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. Consumers should also wash and sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products.
The CDC is also recommending that people wash their hands thoroughly after handling any of the recalled products. It is also important to cook all onions thoroughly before eating them.
The CDC is continuing to investigate the outbreak and is working with state and local health departments to identify the source of the contamination. The agency is also working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to identify the source of the contamination.
The CDC is urging people to take precautions to prevent foodborne illnesses. This includes washing hands and surfaces often, separating raw meat from other foods, cooking food to the proper temperature, and refrigerating food promptly.
The CDC is also reminding people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of foodborne illness and to seek medical attention if they experience any of the symptoms. Symptoms of foodborne illness can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and chills.
The CDC is reminding people to be vigilant about food safety and to take the necessary precautions to prevent foodborne illnesses. By following the CDC’s guidelines, people can help protect themselves and their families from foodborne illnesses.
