Category Archives: foodbourne outbreak

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Oranienburg: Whole, Fresh Onions (October 2021)

FDA

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Oranienburg in Whole, Fresh Onions - Sample Product Images (October 2021)

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified ProSource Produce, LLC (also known as ProSource Inc.) of Hailey, Idaho, and Keeler Family Farms of Deming, New Mexico, as suppliers of potentially contaminated whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Recalled onions supplied by ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms were sold to restaurants, food service locations, wholesalers, and retail or grocery stores throughout the United States. Recalls have also been initiated by the following companies that sold recalled onions or products containing the recalled onions.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and if additional products or firms are linked to illness. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Recommendation

Advice for restaurants, retailers and consumers: Do not eat, sell or serve recalled onions, or products containing recalled onions. All recalled onions were supplied by ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms and imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico between July 1, 2021 and August 31, 2021. Recalls have also been initiated by Potandon Produce L.L.C., HelloFresh, and EveryPlate. If you cannot tell if your onions were recalled, do not eat, sell, or serve them and throw them out.

Onions may last up to three months if stored in a cool, dry place. Restaurants, retailers, and consumers who suspect having purchased such onions may still have them in storage and should not eat, sell, or serve them, and should throw them out.

FDA recommends that anyone who received or suspects having received recalled onions use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This includes cleaning and sanitizing cutting boards, slicers, countertops, refrigerators, displays, and storage bins.

Consumers who have symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their health care provider. Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.

Suppliers and Distributors: Do not use, ship, or sell recalled onions. Suppliers and distributors that re-package raw onions should use extra vigilance in cleaning any surfaces and storage areas that may have come into contact with these products. If there has been potential cross contamination or mixing of onions from other sources with these products, suppliers and distributors should discard all comingled and potentially cross-contaminated product.

Recall Information

ProSource Produce LLC has voluntarily recalled red, yellow, and white onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, with import dates from July 1, 2021, through August 31, 2021. Additional descriptors used for these onion types may include, but are not limited to, jumbo, colossal, medium, summer and sweet onions. Additional recall information will be made public as soon as it is available from ProSource Inc.

The onions were distributed to wholesalers, broadline foodservice customers, and retail or grocery stores in:

  • 50 lb., 25 lb., 10 lb., 5 lb., 3 lb., and 2 lb. mesh sacks
  • 50 lb., 40 lb., 25 lb., 10 lb., and 5 lb. cartons

And by the following distributors and/or under the following brands:

  • Big Bull
  • Peak Fresh Produce
  • Sierra Madre
  • Markon First Crop.
  • Markon Essentials
  • Rio Blue
  • ProSource
  • Rio Valley
  • Sysco Imperial

Keeler Family Farms has recalled red, yellow, and white whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, with import dates from July 1, 2021, through August 25, 2021. The onions were distributed in 25lb and 50lb mesh sacks. They contain a label that is marked as “MVP (product of MX)”.

Additional details regarding the recalled products are available on the Keeler Family Farms recall announcement.

Recalls have also been initiated by companies that sold recalled onions or products containing the recalled onions.


Case Count Map Provided by CDC

Outbreak Salmonella Onions Case Count Map Oct 20 2021

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 652
Hospitalizations: 129
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: September 30, 2021
States with Cases: AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV
Product Distribution: Nationwide

USA – Potandon Produce Voluntarily Recalls Select White and Yellow Whole Onions Because of Possible Health Risk – Salmonella

FDA

Potandon Produce L.L.C. of Idaho Falls, Idaho is voluntarily recalling onions supplied from Keeler Family Farms and sold as Green Giant Fresh whole yellow onions in 2 lb. bags, 3 lb. bags, and 5 lb. bags and whole white onions in 2 lb. bags. The affected onions were delivered directly to three UNFI retail distribution centers (DCs) in Fargo, North Dakota; Bismarck, North Dakota and Hopkins, Minnesota between July 15 and July 30, 2021. This recall does not affect any other Green Giant Fresh products or include any Green Giant canned or frozen vegetable products.

The recalled onions are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

We have notified UNFI about this expanded recall and included the additional items in the product table list at the end of this press release. A cumulative list of all recalled onion items affected from both ProSource Produce and Keeler Family Farms is posted on our website at www.potandon.comExternal Link Disclaimer

Potandon Produce is issuing this press release and keeping the U.S. Food and Drug Administration informed of its recall process to assure that consumers are properly alerted.

The recall was initiated after the company learned it had sold onions supplied and recalled by Keeler Family Farms.

Anyone who has the recalled whole onions in their possession or has used them as an ingredient in a dish should not consume them and should either dispose of the product properly or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company’s recall coordinator at 1-800-637-8084, M-F from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Mountain Time, or visit its website at www.potandon.comExternal Link Disclaimer.

October 26, 2021 Potandon Produce Voluntary Recall-Product Sourced From Keeler Family Farms
Label or Brand Packaging Description Retail DC delivery location Dated Delivered to Retail DC
(not on bag)
UPC on bag Lot # on bag tag Julian Date on bag tag
Green Giant Fresh 2 lb. Bag Whole Yellow Onions Hopkins, MN 7/21/2021 60580600120-8 42543-2 RA201
  Hopkins, MN 7/28/2021 42600-3 RA208
  Fargo, ND 7/29/2021 42600-3 RA209
  Bismarck, ND 7/30/2021 42600-3 RA209
  Hopkins, MN 7/29/2021 42600-3 RA209
  Hopkins, MN 7/21/2021 42542-2 RA201
  Hopkins, MN 7/16/2021 42542-5 RA197
Hopkins, MN

7/22/2021

42542-5 RA202
Green Giant Fresh 3 lb. Bag Whole Yellow Onions   Hopkins, MN 7/21/2021 60580600123-9 42543-2 RA201
  Bismarck, ND 7/23/2021 42543-2 RA203
  Fargo, ND 7/23/2021 42543-2 RA203
  Hopkins, MN 7/26/2021 42543-2 RA204
Hopkins, MN

7/22/2021

42542-5 RA202
Green Giant Fresh 5 lb. Bag Whole Yellow Onions   Hopkins, MN 7/20/2021 60580600170-3 42543-2 RA200
  Hopkins, MN 7/21/2021 42543-2 RA201
  Hopkins, MN 7/20/2021 42543-2 RA202
  Bismarck, ND 7/23/2021 42543-2 RA203
  Fargo, ND 7/23/2021 42543-2 RA203
  Hopkins, MN 7/26/2021 42543-2 RA204
  Bismarck, ND 7/23/2021 42542-2 RA203
Hopkins, MN 7/23/2021 42542-2 RA203
Green Giant Fresh 2 lb. bags Whole White Onions   Hopkins, MN 7/16/2021 60580600218-2 42542-3 RA197
  Hopkins, MN 7/15/2021 42542-3 RA196
  Bismarck, ND 7/21/2021 42542-3 RA200
  Hopkins, MN 7/21/2021 42542-3 RA201
Hopkins, MN 7/22/2021 42542-3 RA202

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
 800-637-8084
Media:
Mel Davenport
 208-524-1900
 onions@potandon.com

Product Photos

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Goodfood brand Onions recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, October 27, 2021 – The food recall warning issued on October 22, 2021 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Goodfood Market Corp is recalling Goodfood brand Onions, Product of Mexico, from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

Recalled product

Brand Product Size UPC Codes Additional information
Goodfood Medium Yellow Onions 908 g (2 lb) 9000799 3680626 Product of Mexico
Goodfood Medium Yellow Onions 908 g (2 lb) 9000799 3682656 Product is labelled as Product of USA, although the onions are Product of Mexico

What you should do

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.

Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Background

This recall was triggered by a recall in another country by Prosource Produce LLC of Hailey, Idaho. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace.

Illnesses

There have been no reported illnesses in Canada associated with the consumption of these products.

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

  • Medium yellow onions

Public enquiries and media

Public enquiries
Toll-free: 1-800-442-2342 (Canada and U.S.)
Telephone: 1-613-773-2342 (local or international)
Email: information@inspection.gc.ca
Media relations
Telephone: 613-773-6600
Email: cfia.media.acia@inspection.gc.ca

Hong Kong – Hong Kong investigating Group B Streptococcus infections linked to fish

Food Safety News

Officials in Hong Kong are investigating an outbreak of invasive Group B Streptococcus cases linked to handling freshwater fish.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health asked the public to not consume raw freshwater fish or aquatic products, and to handle such items with caution to avoid contact with wounds, including small cuts and scratches.

This past week, the Hospital Authority, an agency that manages public hospitals, told the CHP that 88 patients had tested positive for invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in September and October, and provided specimens of 68 patients for genetic sequencing analysis.

This has shown that, amongst the 68 patients, 32 of them belonged to a variety of sequence type 283 (ST283), 27 cases are other serotypes or another strain of ST283, while the results for the remaining nine cases are pending.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan – Mass food poisoning at Imperiya Pizzy: 179 patients registered

24KG

The number of people who applied for help to medical institutions in Bishkek and Chui region after getting food poisoning at Imperiya Pizzy chain cafes increased to 179 people. Press center of the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan reported.

According to the ministry, 18 of the patients are children. «At least 50 people receive inpatient care. There are 13 people in the Railway Hospital, 12 people — in the City Children’s Clinical Hospital of Emergency Medicine, 24 — in the National Hospital, and 1 — in the General Medical Practice Center in Issyk-Ata,» the ministry said.

Their condition is assessed by doctors as stable. The rest of the patients were sent for outpatient treatment at their place of residence after the provision of medical care.

All the cafes of the chain have been closed for the period of the epidemic investigation. The Ministry of Health reported that in connection with the mass food poisoning in Bishkek, specialists from the Centers for State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance will inspect foodservice outlets throughout the republic.

India – College closed after suspected food poisoning

The Hindu

The College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University was closed on Saturday following suspected food poisoning among students.

As many as 15 students and four cooks of the ladies hostel of the college showed symptoms of food poisoning on Friday morning and they were provided medical treatment, Koshy John, Dean of the college, told The Hindu. They were discharged later.

The hospital authorities asked college to super-chlorinate the water resources to the college and hostels. Hence, the college would remain closed till October 31 but, the classes for postgraduate students would continue as usual, Dr. John said

The health authorities had collected the water samples and the exact source of the poisoning could be ascertained only after the test results, he said.

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Oranienburg: Whole, Fresh Onions (October 2021)

FDA

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Oranienburg in Whole, Fresh Onions - Sample Product Images (October 2021)

FDA and CDC are investigating illnesses linked to whole, fresh onions. Do not eat, sell, or serve certain onions from ProSource Produce and Keeler Family Farms

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified ProSource Produce, LLC (also known as ProSource Inc.) of Hailey, Idaho, and Keeler Family Farms of Deming, New Mexico, as suppliers of potentially contaminated whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.

On October 22, 2021, Keeler Family Farms issued a voluntary recall of red, yellow, and white whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, from July 1, 2021, through August 25, 2021, when the last shipment of onions from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico was received by the firm. These onions contain a label that is marked as “MVP (product of MX)”. Additional details regarding the recalled product are available on the Keeler Family Farms’ recall announcement.

On October 20, 2021, ProSource Produce LLC issued a voluntary recall of red, yellow, and white whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, with import dates from July 1, 2021, through August 31, 2021. A full list of recalled product information is available in ProSource Produce LLC’s recall announcement.

These onions supplied by ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms were sold to restaurants, food service locations, wholesalers, and retail or grocery stores throughout the United States. The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and if additional products or firms are linked to illness. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Recommendation

Advice for restaurants, retailers and consumers: Do not eat, sell or serve recalled onions, or products containing recalled onions. All recalled onions were supplied by ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms and imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico between July 1, 2021 and August 31, 2021. If your onion has a label and it is not from one of the brands listed below originating from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico imported during this timeframe, it is not part of the recalls. If you cannot tell if your onions were recalled, do not eat, sell, or serve them and throw them out.

Recalled onions were distributed under the following brands:

  • Big Bull
  • Peak Fresh Produce
  • Sierra Madre
  • Markon First Crop
  • Markon Essentials
  • Rio Blue
  • ProSource
  • Rio Valley
  • Sysco Imperial
  • MVP

Additional descriptors used for these recalled onion types may include, but are not limited to, jumbo, colossal, medium, summer, and sweet onions.

Additional information about each recall can be found in the ProSource Produce LLC’s recall announcement and the Keeler Family Farms recall announcement.

Onions may last up to three months if stored in a cool, dry place. Restaurants, retailers, and consumers who suspect having purchased such onions may still have them in storage and should not eat, sell, or serve them, and should throw them out.

FDA recommends that anyone who received or suspects having received recalled onions use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This includes cleaning and sanitizing cutting boards, slicers, countertops, refrigerators, and storage bins.

Consumers who have symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their health care provider. Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.

Suppliers and Distributors: Do not use, ship, or sell red, yellow, or white onions recalled by ProSource Produce LLC or supplied by Keeler Family Farms that were imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, or food products containing such onions. Suppliers and distributors that re-package raw onions should use extra vigilance in cleaning any surfaces and storage areas that may have come into contact with these products. If there has been potential cross contamination or mixing of onions from other sources with these products, suppliers and distributors should discard all comingled and potentially cross-contaminated product.

Recall Information

ProSource Produce LLC has voluntarily recalled red, yellow, and white onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, with import dates from July 1, 2021, through August 31, 2021. Additional descriptors used for these onion types may include, but are not limited to, jumbo, colossal, medium, summer and sweet onions. Additional recall information will be made public as soon as it is available from ProSource Inc.

The onions were distributed to wholesalers, broadline foodservice customers, and retail or grocery stores in:

  • 50 lb., 25 lb., 10 lb., 5 lb., 3 lb., and 2 lb. mesh sacks
  • 50 lb., 40 lb., 25 lb., 10 lb., and 5 lb. cartons

And by the following distributors and/or under the following brands:

  • Big Bull
  • Peak Fresh Produce
  • Sierra Madre
  • Markon First Crop.
  • Markon Essentials
  • Rio Blue
  • ProSource
  • Rio Valley
  • Sysco Imperial

Keeler Family Farms has recalled red, yellow, and white whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, with import dates from July 1, 2021, through August 25, 2021. The onions were distributed in 25lb and 50lb mesh sacks. They contain a label that is marked as “MVP (product of MX)”.

Additional details regarding the recalled products are available on the Keeler Family Farms recall announcement.


Case Count Map Provided by CDC

Outbreak Salmonella Onions Case Count Map Oct 20 2021

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 652
Hospitalizations: 129
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: September 30, 2021
States with Cases: AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV
Product Distribution: Nationwide

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Gwillimdale Farms brand Onions, Product of Mexico recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

Gwillimdale Farms - Onions - label, front

Recall details

Ottawa, October 22, 2021 – The food recall warning issued on October 21, 2021 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Gwillimdale Farms is recalling Gwillimdale Farms brand Onions, Product of Mexico from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below or foods containing these raw onions. Retailers, distributors, manufacturers, and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, and nursing homes should not serve, use, or sell the recalled products described below.

The following products have been sold in Ontario and Quebec and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

Recalled product

Brand Product Size UPC Codes Additional information
Gwillimdale Farms Onions 2 lbs (907 g) 6 28250 41454 7
  • 07/09/21
  • 07/13/21
  • 07/14/21
  • 07/15/21
  • 07/16/21
  • 07/19/21
  • 07/20/21
Product of Mexico
Gwillimdale Farms Onions 3 lbs (1.36 kg) 6 28250 41455 4
  • 07/16/21
  • 07/19/21
Product of Mexico
Gwillimdale Farms Onions 5 lbs (2.27 kg) 6 28250 41456 1
  • 07/13/21
  • 07/15/21
  • 07/16/21
  • 07/19/21
Product of Mexico

Background

This recall was triggered by a recall in another country by Prosource Produce LLC of Hailey, Idaho. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace.

Illnesses

There have been no reported illnesses in Canada associated with the consumption of these products.

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

  • Gwillimdale Farms - Onions - label, front
  • Gwillimdale Farms - Onions - 5 lbs (2.27 kg) - label, back
  • Gwillimdale Farms - Onions - 3 lbs (1.36 kg) - label, back
  • Gwillimdale Farms - Onions - 2 lbs (907 g) - label, back

Public enquiries and media

Public enquiries
Toll-free: 1-800-442-2342 (Canada and U.S.)
Telephone: 1-613-773-2342 (local or international)
Email: information@inspection.gc.ca
Media relations
Telephone: 613-773-6600
Email: cfia.media.acia@inspection.gc.ca

Research – Survival of Salmonella enterica in Military Low Moisture Food Products during Long Term Storage at 4°C, 25°C and 40°C

Journal of Food Protection

Salmonella enterica  has been increasingly implicated in foodborne outbreaks involving low moisture foods (LMF) during the recent decade. This study aimed to investigate the potential for persistence of  Salmonella enterica  in a range of low moisture foods (LMF) during storage at 3 temperatures. LMF products, boil-in-bag eggs (freeze dried product), chocolate protein drink, cran-raspberry first strike bars, mocha dessert bar, and peanut butter, were inoculated with a five strain cocktail of S. enterica and stored at 4°C, 25°C, or 40°C for 36 mos. Salmonella populations remained above 7 log CFU/g in all products stored at 4°C and above 6 log CFU/g in products stored at 25°C excluding the cran-raspberry bars. Storage at 40°C resulted in Salmonella populations above 5.5 log CFU/g in boil-in-bag eggs after 36 mos and demonstrated survivability for 12 mos or less in the other five products.  Additionally, a mocha bar production temperature profile study identified rapid cooling of bars in which the temperatures reached would have no measurable impact on  Salmonella  populations. The results indicate the ability of  Salmonella  to survive in a variety of LMF category foods even under adverse storage conditions and identifies how the food matrix may affect  Salmonella  survivability. The data indicate the importance of establishing food processing procedures that adequately mitigate the presence of Salmonella throughout food processing systems while also increasing comprehensive understanding of Salmonella survivability mechanisms.

USA – ProSource Inc. Recalls Onions From Mexico For Salmonella Contamination

Food Poisoning Bulletin

ProSource Inc. is voluntarily recalling onions from Mexico for Salmonella contamination. The onions are linked to a multistate Salmonella Oranienburg outbreak that has sickened at least 652 people in 37 states. The onions were shipped from Mexico between July 1, 2021 and August 31, 2021.

The brand names that the onions may have been sold under include Big Bull, Peak Fresh Produce, Sierra Madre, Markon First Crop., Markon Essentials, Rio Blue, ProSource, Rio Valley, and Sysco Imperial. The recalled products are whole raw fresh red, yellow, and white onions. The onions were distributed to wholesalers, broadline foodservice companies, and retail stores in 50 pound, 25 pound, 10 pound, 5 pound, 3 pound, and 2 pound mesh sacks; and 50 pound, 40 pound, 25 pound, 10 pound, and 5 pound cartons. You can see pictures of product labels at the FDA web site.