US Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 339 Canadians

339 Canadians are sick in the US Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak.  The Public Health Agency of Canada announced that, “Investigators have determined that red onions imported from the United States (U.S.) are a likely source of the outbreak.”  48 Canadians have been hospitalized.  7 Canadian provinces have been affected in the most recent Salmonella case count: British Columbia (78), Alberta (208), Saskatchewan (19), Manitoba (19), Ontario (8), Quebec (6) and Prince Edward Island (1). The individual from Prince Edward Island reported traveling to Alberta before becoming ill. Saskatchewan has not reported any confirmed illnesses related to this outbreak, but provincial public health authorities are investigating some Salmonella Newport illnesses in the province.

Salmonella Symptoms

Symptoms of a  Salmonella infection, called salmonellosis, typically start 6 to 72 hours after exposure to Salmonella bacteria from an infected animal, person or contaminated product.

Symptoms include:

• fever
• chills
• diarrhea
• abdominal cramps
• headache
• nausea
• vomiting

These symptoms usually last for 4 to 7 days. In healthy people, salmonellosis often clears up without treatment, but sometimes antibiotics may be required. In some cases, severe illness may occur and hospitalization may be required. People who are infected with Salmonella bacteria can be infectious from several days to several weeks. People who experience symptoms, or who have underlying medical conditions, should contact their health care provider if they suspect they have a Salmonella infection.

Recalls in Canada

Note: There is no evidence to suggest that onions grown in Canada are associated with this outbreak. Onions imported from the United States are under investigation

Brand name	Common name	Size	UPC	Code(s) on product	Additional information	Distribution
El Competidor	Yellow Onions Red Onions White Onions Sweet Yellow Onions	All sizes including bulk	Variable	All products imported since May 1, 2020	Mesh Sack Carton Box	Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co.	Mild Fresh Salsa	375 mL	6 28130 03751 4	BBD: 21 SEP 2020 25 SEP 2020 28 SEP 2020 02 OCT 2020	None	Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co.	Medium Fresh Salsa	375 mL	6 28130 03752 1	BBD: 21 SEP 2020 25 SEP 2020 28 SEP 2020 02 OCT 2020 05 OCT 2020	None	Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co.	Hot Fresh Salsa	375 mL	6 28130 03753 8	BBD: 21 SEP 2020 25 SEP 2020 28 SEP 2020 02 OCT 2020	None	British Columbia
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co.	Extra Hot Fresh Salsa	375 mL	6 28130 03754 5	BBD: 21 SEP 2020 25 SEP 2020 28 SEP 2020 02 OCT 2020	None	British Columbia
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co.	Salsa Fresca	2.2 L	6 28130 00221 5	BBD: 28 SEP 2020 05 OCT 2020	None	British Columbia
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co.	Savory Southwestern Black Bean & Corn Salsa	220 mL	6 28130 02204 6	BBD: 15 AUG 2020 21 AUG 2020 28 AUG 2020	None	Alberta, British Columbia
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co.	Tropical Fruit Salsa	220 mL	None	BBD: 06 AUG 2020	None	British Columbia
Freshpoint Foodservice	Onion, Jumbo (yellow)	5 lb / 2.27 kg	None	345 122 to 345 214	All products sold from May 1, 2020 up to and including August 1, 2020 Product code 246010	British Columbia, Nunavut
Freshpoint Foodservice	Onion, Red	5 lb / 2.27 kg	None	345 122 to 345 214	All products sold from May 1, 2020 up to and including August 1, 2020 Product code 246154	British Columbia, Nunavut
Imperial Fresh	Yellow Onions Red Onions White Onions Sweet Yellow Onions	All sizes including bulk	Variable	All products imported since May 1, 2020	Mesh Sack Carton Box	Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Krown	Red Onion	4.54 kg / 10 lb	None	All units sold up to and including August 5, 2020	None	Frontier Foods, 311 Centre St., Frontier, SK Pip’s Country Store, 4806 Selkirk Ave., Edgewater, BC Northern, 2 Inuit St. (Box 281), Kugluktuk, NU Northern, Mackenzie Dr. (Box 143), Tulita, NT Northern, 807 Tetlit Gwich’In Rd. (Box 60), Fort McPherson, NT Edgewood General Store, Box 16, Edgewood, BC Northern, Box 158, Ulukhaktok, NT Northern, 991 Mistassiniy Rd. (Box 90), Wabasca, AB Northern, 41 Breynat St. (Box 47), Fort Smith, NT Whitemud Grocer, 220 Centre St., Val Marie, SK Rock Creek General Store, 4105 Hwy. 3, Rock Creek, BC Hidden Valley Foods, 108 Maple Ave. S, Eastend, SK Slocan Village Market, 519 Harold St., Slocan, BC Balfour Superette, 7824 Hwy. 3A, Balfour, BC The Sea Store, 9226 Kokanee Rd., Vernon, BC Cut Knife Family Foods, 112 Broad St. S (Box 487), Cut Knife, SK J & D Meat & Groceries, 435 Elliot St., Quesnel, BC PGI Market On 5th, 2900 5thAve., Prince George, BC Clarke’s General Store, 5750 Horsefly Rd., Horsefly, BC J & S Confectionery, 4714 Herald St., Macklin, SK Kinuso AG Foods, 225 Centre St. (PO Box 390), Kinuso, AB Northern, 2 Town Sq. (Box 9000), Norman Wells, NT Northern, Box 260, Tuktoyaktuk, NT Little Kingdom, 11284 Westside Rd., Vernon, BC Blind Bay Country Market, Golf Course Dr., Blind Bay, BC E.M. Grocers, PO Box 130, Denzil, SK Lakeview Store, 14729 Hwy 3A, Gray Creek, BC 70 Mile General Store, 1556 Cariboo Hwy. (PO Box 129), 70 Mile House, BC
Krown	Yellow Onion	4.54 kg / 10 lb	None	All units sold up to and including August 5, 2020	None	Loon Lake Fine Foods, PO Box 189, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Loon Lake, SK Lac La HacheFood Mart, Box 100, Lac La Hache, BC Clinton Budget Foods, 1429 Cariboo Hwy., Clinton, BC The Store, 5 Main St. (Box 68), Acadia Valley, AB Balfour Superette, 7824 Hwy. 3A, Balfour, BC J & D Meat & Groceries, 435 Elliot St., Quesnel, BC Clarke’s General Store, 5750 Horsefly Rd., Horsefly, BC Buffalo River Mini Mart, Chief Pierre Nezaroche St., Dillon, SK
Modern	Tarragon Remoulade	250 mL	8 47004 00009 0	Best before date: SEP 23 2020	None	British Columbia, Manitoba, and possibly other provinces and territories.
Modern Meat	‘Crab’ Cakes	300 g	8 47004 00014 4	Best before date: JAN 18 2021	None	British Columbia, Manitoba, and possibly other provinces and territories.
Modern Meat	‘Crab’ Cakes	6 × 50 g	8 47004 00014 4	Best before date: JAN 18 2021	None	British Columbia, Manitoba, and possibly other provinces and territories.
None	Greek Salad	Variable	Starts with 0 205106	All best before dates up to and including AU.11.20	None	British Columbia
None	Greek Pasta Salad	Variable	Starts with 0 205130	All best before dates up to and including AU.11.20	None	British Columbia
None	Curried Quinoa Kale Salad	Variable	Starts with 0 205117	All best before dates up to and including AU.11.20	None	British Columbia
None	Gourmet Sandwiches Entertaining	Variable	Starts with 257369	All packed on dates up to and including August 7, 2020	None	Sold at various IGA, Safeway, Sobeys and Thrifty Foods locations in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
None	Gourmet Sandwiches Sm	Variable	Starts with 240060	All packed on dates up to and including August 7, 2020	None	Sold at various IGA, Safeway, Sobeys and Thrifty Foods locations in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Onions 52	Yellow Onions Red Onions White Onions Sweet Yellow Onions	All sizes including bulk	Variable	All products imported since May 1, 2020	Mesh Sack Carton Box	Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Skeena Select	BBQ Beef Sub	295 g	0 204157 706994	All best before dates up to and including AU.11.20	None	British Columbia
Skeena Select	Pizza Sub	405 g	0 204109 706997	All best before dates up to and including AU.10.20	None	British Columbia
Skeena Select	Broccoli Salad	Variable	Starts with 0 205116	All best before dates up to and including AU.11.20	None	British Columbia
Skeena Select	Chicken Quesadilla	280 g	0 205153 105996	All best before dates up to and including AU.11.20	None	British Columbia
Tender Loving Care	Yellow Onions Red Onions White Onions Sweet Yellow Onions	All sizes including bulk	Variable	All products imported since May 1, 2020	Mesh Sack Carton Box	Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Thomson International	Yellow Onions Red Onions White Onions Sweet Yellow Onions	All sizes including bulk	Variable	All products imported since May 1, 2020	Mesh Sack Carton Box	Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Thomson International Premium	Yellow Onions Red Onions White Onions Sweet Yellow Onions	All sizes including bulk	Variable	All products imported since May 1, 2020	Mesh Sack Carton Box	Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Thomson Premium	Yellow Onions Red Onions White Onions Sweet Yellow Onions	All sizes including bulk	Variable	All products imported since May 1, 2020	Mesh Sack Carton Box	Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon

For hotels, restaurants, institutions and manufacturers

What should you do to protect your health?

The Public Health Agency of Canada urges individuals in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario are advised to not eat any red onions imported to Canada from the U.S., including any food products that contain raw red onions imported from U.S.

Retailers and restaurants in these locations are also advised not to use, sell or serve red onions imported from the U.S.. Red onions harvested in Canada are not affected by this advice.

Individuals are asked to check their homes for red onions, including whole, sliced, or chopped, as well as prepared foods that contain red onions as an ingredient, such as premade salads, sandwiches, wraps, or dips.

• If you have red onions at home:
  • Look for a label showing where the red onion was grown. It may be printed on the package or on a sticker.
  • If the packaging or sticker shows that it is from the U.S., don’t eat it. Throw it away and wash your hands.
  • If it isn’t labeled, don’t eat it. Throw it away and wash your hands.
  • If you don’t know whether the red onion found in a premade salad, sandwich, wrap or dip contains red onion from the U.S., don’t eat it. Throw it away and wash your hands.
  • Wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in areas (such as fridges and cupboards) where red onions were stored.
• If you buy red onions at a store:
  • Look for a label showing where the red onion was grown. It may be printed on the package or on a sticker.
  • If the packaging shows that it is from the U.S., don’t buy it.
  • If it is an unpackaged product, or is not labelled, ask the retailer whether the red onion comes from the U.S.
  • If you can’t confirm that the red onion in stores is not from the U.S., don’t buy it.
• If you order salad or any other food item containing red onions at a restaurant or food establishment, ask the staff whether the red onions come from the U.S. If they did, or they don’t know, don’t eat it.
• Restaurants and retailers should check the label on bags or boxes of red onions, or ask their suppliers about the source of their red onions.
• Suppliers, distributors and others in the supply chain should not ship or sell red onions imported from the U.S.
• If you have been diagnosed with a Salmonella infection or any other gastrointestinal illness, do not cook food for other people.
• Contact your local public health authority to report any food safety concerns at restaurants or grocery stores, or if you suspect food poisoning from a restaurant or other food establishments.

How The Lange Law Firm Can Help

Our mission is to help families who have been harmed by contaminated food or water.  When corporations cause Salmonella food poisoning outbreaks, we use the law to hold them accountable.  The Lange Law Firm is the only law firm in the nation solely focused on helping families in food poisoning lawsuits and contaminated water lawsuits.

As a US law firm, The Lange Law Firm is well positioned to pursue those responsible in the United States for growing, producing, and selling Salmonella contaminated red onions.

If you got Salmonella food poisoning in the Red Onions Salmonella Outbreak and are interested in making a legal claim for compensation, we can help.  Our Salmonella lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your Salmonella food poisoning.  Call us for a free no obligation legal consultation at (833) 330-3663 or send us an e-mail here.

By: Attorney Jory Lange