The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections that has resulted in 73 illnesses in 22 states. To date, 15 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. Of those 15 people, 6 people resided in long-term care facilities during their salmonella illness.
Interviews with those affected and traceback data show that onions processed at Gills Onions may be making people in this outbreak sick, with 14 of 19 people interviewed reported eating onions or were served diced onions.
On October 24, 2023, Gills Onions recalled some lots of fresh diced onion products with use-by dates in August 2023, including diced yellow onions (3lb bags and 8 oz cups), diced celery and onions (8 oz cups), diced mirepoix (10 oz cups), and diced red onions (8 oz cups). Recalled onions were sold in stores and sent to restaurants and institutions nationwide and in Canada.
It is important to note that although the recalled products are beyond their August 2023 use-by-dates, they may have been frozen to use later.
What Long-Term Care Facilities Should Do:
- Check facility freezers and refrigerators for recalled onion products and throw them away.
- Do not serve recalled Gills Onions products or foods made with recalled onion products.
- Wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have come in contact with recalled onion products.
Symptoms of Salmonella:
- Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
- Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
- Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
- Some people—especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
For more information, visit https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/gills-onions-voluntarily-recalls-select-lots-fresh-diced-onion-products-because-possible-health-risk.
