{"id":264039,"date":"2020-08-04T07:33:08","date_gmt":"2020-08-04T11:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=264039"},"modified":"2020-08-04T07:33:08","modified_gmt":"2020-08-04T11:33:08","slug":"public-health-notice-outbreak-of-salmonella-infections-linked-to-red-onions-imported-from-the-united-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2020\/08\/04\/public-health-notice-outbreak-of-salmonella-infections-linked-to-red-onions-imported-from-the-united-states\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Health Notice: Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to red onions imported from the United States"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Although the investigation has determined that red onions are the likely source of the outbreak, Thomson International Inc. has recalled all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, due to the risk of cross-contamination. Onion varieties includes red, white, yellow, and sweet yellow onions. (File Photo: Thomas Martinsen\/Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

OTTAWA, ON<\/span>\u00a0\/CNW\/ – Since July 30<\/span>, there have been six additional illnesses reported in the ongoing Canadian investigation, including illnesses in\u00a0Saskatchewan<\/span>\u00a0and Qu\u00e9bec. There are now 120 confirmed cases in\u00a0Canada<\/span>. Investigators have determined that potentially contaminated red onions are coming from Thomson International Inc. of\u00a0Bakersfield, California<\/span>,\u00a0United States of America<\/span>\u00a0(USA<\/span>).<\/p>\n

Although the investigation has determined that red onions are the likely source of the outbreak, Thomson International Inc. has recalled all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, due to the risk of cross-contamination. Onion varieties includes red, white, yellow, and sweet yellow onions.<\/p>\n

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued\u00a0food recall warnings<\/a>\u00a0for related products that came to\u00a0Canada<\/span>. Some of these products were possibly distributed nationally. Additional food recall warnings in\u00a0Canada<\/span>\u00a0are possible. More information on recalled products is available on CFIA’s website.<\/p>\n

Given this new information, and until more is known about the outbreak, do not eat, use, sell or serve any red, white, yellow, and sweet yellow onions from Thomson International Inc.,\u00a0Bakersfield, California<\/span>, USA, or any products made with these onions. This advice applies to all individuals across\u00a0Canada<\/span>, as well as retailers, distributors, manufacturers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes.<\/p>\n

Onions grown in\u00a0Canada<\/span>\u00a0are not affected by this advice.<\/p>\n

Why should you take note<\/b><\/p>\n

The Public Health Agency of\u00a0Canada<\/span>\u00a0(PHAC) is collaborating with federal and provincial public health partners, the\u00a0United States\u00a0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a><\/u>\u00a0(U.S. CDC), and the\u00a0U.S. Food and Drug Administration<\/a>\u00a0to investigate an outbreak of\u00a0Salmonella<\/i>\u00a0infections occurring in seven provinces.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0Canada<\/span>, based on the investigation findings to date, exposure to red onions imported from the\u00a0USA<\/span>\u00a0has been identified as a likely source of the outbreak. Many of the ill individuals under investigation reported having eaten red onions before getting sick.<\/p>\n

Through a collaborative investigation between public health and food safety partners in\u00a0Canada<\/span>\u00a0and the U.S., traceback information has identified that the contaminated red onions are coming from Thomson International Inc. of\u00a0Bakersfield, California<\/span>, USA.<\/p>\n

The CFIA has issued food recall warnings for related products that came to\u00a0Canada<\/span>. Some of these products were possibly distributed nationally. Additional food recall warnings in\u00a0Canada<\/span>\u00a0are possible. More information is needed to determine the cause of contamination in red onions imported from Thomson International Inc. The outbreak is ongoing, as recent illnesses continue to be reported to the PHAC.<\/p>\n

Given this new information, and until more is known about the outbreak,\u00a0do not eat, use, sell or serve any red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions grown by Thomson International Inc. of\u00a0Bakersfield, California<\/span>, USA, or any products made with these onions. This advice applies to all individuals across\u00a0Canada<\/span>, as well as retailers,\u00a0<\/b>distributors, manufacturers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes.<\/b><\/p>\n

Onions grown in\u00a0Canada<\/span>\u00a0are not affected by this advice.<\/b><\/p>\n

As the investigation is ongoing, it is possible that additional sources could be identified, and additional food recall warnings related to this outbreak may be issued. This public health notice will be updated as the investigation evolves.<\/p>\n

Investigation summary<\/b><\/p>\n

As of\u00a0August 2, 2020<\/span>, there have been 120 confirmed cases of\u00a0Salmonella<\/i>\u00a0Newport illness linked to this outbreak in the following provinces:\u00a0British Columbia<\/span>\u00a0(43),\u00a0Alberta<\/span>\u00a0(56),\u00a0Saskatchewan<\/span>\u00a0(4),\u00a0Manitoba<\/span>\u00a0(13),\u00a0Ontario<\/span>\u00a0(2),\u00a0Quebec<\/span>\u00a0(1) and\u00a0Prince Edward Island<\/span>\u00a0(1).<\/p>\n

Individuals became sick between mid-June and\u00a0mid-July 2020<\/span>. Seventeen individuals have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Individuals who became ill are between 3 and 100 years of age. The majority of cases (56%) are female.<\/p>\n

Individuals who became ill reported eating red onions at home, in menu items ordered at restaurants and in residential care settings.<\/p>\n

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation and has issued related\u00a0food recall warnings<\/a>. Additional food recall warnings in\u00a0Canada<\/span>\u00a0are possible. More information on recalled products is available on CFIA’s website.<\/p>\n

The U.S. CDC is also investigating an outbreak of\u00a0Salmonella<\/i>\u00a0Newport illnesses that have a similar genetic fingerprint to illnesses reported in this outbreak. Investigators in\u00a0Canada<\/span>\u00a0and the U.S. continue to collaborate to exchange information and identify commonalities in the outbreak information that may identify additional sources of illness or help to identify the cause of contamination in the red onions.<\/p>\n

It is possible that more recent illnesses may be reported in the outbreak because there is a period of time between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported to public health officials. For this outbreak, the illness reporting period is between two and four weeks.<\/p>\n

Who is most at risk<\/b><\/p>\n

Anyone can become sick with a\u00a0Salmonella<\/i>\u00a0infection, but children aged 5 years and under, older adults, pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for contracting serious illness.<\/p>\n

Most people who become ill from a\u00a0Salmonella<\/i>\u00a0infection will recover fully after a few days. It is possible for some people to be infected with the bacteria and to not get sick or show any symptoms, but to still be able to spread the infection to others.<\/p>\n

What should you do to protect your health<\/b><\/p>\n

Do not eat, use, sell or serve any red, white, yellow, and sweet yellow onions from Thomson International Inc., of\u00a0Bakersfield, California<\/span>, USA, or any products made with these onions. This advice applies to all individuals across\u00a0Canada<\/span>, as well as retailers, distributors, manufacturers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes.<\/p>\n

Advice to consumers<\/b><\/p>\n

Individuals are asked to check their homes for red, white, yellow, and sweet varieties, including whole, sliced, or chopped onions, and any prepared foods that contain onions as an ingredient, such as premade salads, sandwiches, wraps, salsas or dips.<\/p>\n