Multistate salmonella outbreak linked to onions; 7 cases in Wisconsin

By: CBS 58 Newsroom

Posted: Aug 7, 2020 3:03 PM CDT

(CBS 58)-- The CDC, several states and FDA continue to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to onions, according to an official update Friday, Aug. 7.

According to the CDC, more grocery stores and food manufacturers have recalled onions and food containing onions, and 244 more illnesses have been reported in the last week.

As of Friday, Aug. 7, there are seven cases in Wisconsin.

According to the FDA, all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, due to the risk of cross-contamination, have been recalled. This includes red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions shipped from May 1, 2020 to Aug. 1, 2020. Onions were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants, and retail stores in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia and Canada.

The FDA states: "The onions were distributed in 5 lbs. carton. 10 lbs. carton. 25 lbs. carton. 40 lbs. carton, 50 lbs. carton. bulk, 2 lb. mesh sacks, and 3 lb. mesh sacks, 5 lb. mesh sacks, 10 lb. mesh sacks 25 lbs. mesh sacks, 50 lbs. mesh sacks under the brand names:

Thomson Premium
TLC Thomson International
Tender Loving Care
El Competitor
Hartley’s Best
Onions 52
Majestic
Imperial Fresh
Kroger
Utah Onions
Food Lion

Publix Super Markets and Giant Eagle are retailers that have recalls for onions linked to the Thomson, Intentional, Inc. recall, as well as ready-to-eat meat and poultry products containing onions.

Case counts according to the FDA:

Total illnesses: 640

Hospitalizations: 85

Deaths: 0

Illness onset date range: July 23,2020

States with cases: AK (6), AL (1), AZ (14), CA (76), CO (14), CT (2), DE (1), FL (3), GA (1), ID (26), IL (41), IN (2), IA (20), KS (2), KY (1), ME (4), MD (1), MA (2), MI (36), MN (14), MS (2), MO (6), MT (52), NE (10), NV (8), NH(1), NJ (2), NM (1), NY (5), NC (5), ND (8), OH (8), OR (85), PA (9), SC (1), SD (17), TN (5), , UT (90), VA (8), WA (25), WV (2), WI (7), WY (16)