#California red onions likely source of salmonella outbreak in 34 states

A California-based onion grower is the likely source of a salmonella outbreak that has infected nearly 400 people across 34 states — including New York, federal officials said.

Thomson International Inc., of Bakersfield, California, recalled all onions distributed after May 1 following 117 new cases that were tied to its red onions in the last week, including four in New York, the CDC said.

Officials said the outbreak has sent 59 people to the hospital but has not yet led to any fatalities.

Consumers are advised not to eat any onions with Thomson International’s name on the label.

“Although red onions have been identified as the likely source, other types of onions may be contaminated due to the way onions are grown and harvested,” the CDC said in a statement.

“If you don’t know where your onions are from, don’t eat, serve, or sell them or any food prepared with them.”

Thomson’s onions were distributed under the names TII Premium, El Competitor, Hartley, Onions 52, Imperial Fresh, Utah Onions and Food Lion, the company told the New York Times.

The onions made it as far as Canada, where health officials have blamed another 114 salmonella cases on the outbreak.

Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, and typically last four to seven days, the CDC said.

Salmonella causes over 1.35 million infections and 400 deaths per year in the United States, according to federal stats.