Health & Fitness

Salmonella Outbreak Linked To California Onion Producer

The CDC is warning Californians not to eat any onions that came from a Central Valley grower linked to a nationwide Salmonella outbreak.

The outbreak has sickened 640 people across 34 states since June, including 76 people in California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The outbreak has sickened 640 people across 34 states since June, including 76 people in California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Shutterstock / Amero)

CALIFORNIA — Public health authorities are warning residents to check the labels on their onions to see if they came from Thomson International, Inc. — a Bakersfield grower that has been linked to a nationwide Salmonella outbreak.

The outbreak has sickened 640 people across 34 states since June, including 76 people in California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Residents are advised to check packages or stickers on red, white, yellow and sweet onions to see the brand. People should throw away any onions that came from Thomson International or are unlabeled, the CDC said.

Find out what's happening in Across Californiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The people who have been sickened during this outbreak reported eating raw onions in freshly-prepared food dishes like salads, sandwiches, salsas and dips.

Salmonella infections cause symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps between 6 hours and 6 days after exposure to the bacteria. The illness usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment, although it can be more severe in children, people over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.

Find out what's happening in Across Californiawith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here