When it comes to recalls, there’s no slowing down. We’ve seen it all, from frozen chicken nuggets recalled for extraneous materials to more than 40,000 pounds of ground beef recalled for E. coli contamination. Now, there’s a new recall on the horizon, and it may affect your dinner plans.
Red, yellow, white and sweet yellow onions are being recalled after a salmonella outbreak. This onion recall affects all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Canada. Before you take a peek in your fridge (or wherever you stock up on onions), check out the full statement on the FDA website.
What onions are being recalled?
Keep a keen eye on your kitchen, because onions of almost every variety are being recalled by Thomson International. The onions were distributed nationwide to retailers and restaurants in all sizes of cartons, mesh sacks and boxes. Some affected brand names you may know include El Competitor, Food Lion, Hartley’s Best, Imperial Fresh, Kroger, Majestic, Onions 52, Tender Loving Care, TLC Thomson International, Thomson Premium and Utah Onions.
This salmonella outbreak has affected 1,012 people in 47 states as of September 1, 2020, with 136 hospitalizations. Thomson International and the FDA urge consumers to take a second look at the onions hiding out in their kitchens.
Looking to stay informed? This recall app keeps you in the know ahead of time.
How do I know if I have these onions?
Unfortunately, the affected produce can be hard to spot. According to the FDA, if you find any onions without packaging or a label, you should pitch them in the trash ASAP, just to be safe. If you still have the labeling, make sure your onions are not listed in the product images available on the FDA site.
Keep your Costco groceries safe with their nifty recall alerts.
What other products are these onions in?
As of August 6, 2020, Taylor Farms, from Dallas, Texas, issued a voluntary recall on all products containing onions distributed by Thomson International. This extension of the onion recall affects retailers like Walmart and Kroger in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. The products include pasta salad and sandwiches containing onions—you can find the full list of contaminated items here.
I have these onions! What should I do with them?
Do not consume or cook with these onions. The FDA and Thomson International are urging consumers to toss any onions related to the brand and any onions without labeling. You’d do yourself some good to thoroughly wipe down or rinse out where you typically store onions, too, just to remove all possibility of salmonella contamination during dinnertime.
How can I avoid getting salmonella?
Always heed the warnings of the FDA when it comes to recalled food products. Salmonella typically spreads through cross-contamination of kitchen tools and uncooked meats. Make sure you’re always cooking meat to food-safe temperatures, cleaning your utensils before and after dinner and double-checking your grocery items, like eggs, are pasteurized.
For more information, check out our comprehensive guide on salmonella—and keep your kitchen safe!
The post Red, Yellow and White Onions Are Recalled for Salmonella Risk appeared first on Taste of Home.
Laurie Dixon