It's been a challenge to find red onions in grocery stores in Airdrie or surrounding communities lately that's because the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expanding a recall on onions after dozens of people have become ill.

As of August 2, there have been a total of 120 confirmed cases of salmonella illness linked to onions from the United States, including 56 cases in Alberta.

The CFIA says 17 people have been hospitalized due to the illness. Those who became sick reported eating red onions at home, restaurants or in residential care settings. 

The department has expanded the recall from just red onions to now also include yellow, white and sweet yellow onions distributed by Thomson International in California.

Since the initial recall on July 30, there have been six additional reported illnesses of salmonella linked to the onions according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

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.

If you have onions at home:

  • Look for a label showing where the onion was grown. It may be printed on the package or on a sticker.
  • If the packaging or sticker shows that it is from Thomson International Inc., don't eat it. Throw it away and wash your hands.
  • If it isn't labelled, don't eat it. Throw it away and wash your hands.
  • If you don't know whether the onion found in a premade salad, sandwich, wrap, salsa or dip contains onions from Thomson International Inc., don't eat it. Throw it away and wash your hands.
  • Wash and sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with onions or their packaging, such as countertops, fridge drawers, pantry shelves, knives, and cutting boards.

If you buy onions at grocery or convenience stores:

  • Make sure they are not selling onions from Thomson International Inc., or serving fresh foods prepared with them.
  • If you can't confirm that the onion in stores is not from Thomson International Inc., don't buy it.
  • If you order a salad or any other food items containing onions at a restaurant or food establishment ask the staff whether their onions come from Thomson International Inc. If they did, or they don’t know, don’t eat it.

 

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