More than 700 Sickened by Salmonella Newport Linked to Onions

As of August 6, 2020, a total of 640 people from 43 states have been infected with an outbreak of Salmonella Newport linked to onions. As of August 7, a total of 85 hospitalizations and no deaths have been reported, according to the CDC. Canadian health officials have also reported 120 illnesses related to the outbreak.

On August 1, 2020, Thomson International, Inc., voluntarily recalled red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions due to potential contamination with Salmonella. Onions were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants, and retail stores in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert on August 5, warning that ready-to-eat meat and salad products that may contain recalled onions linked to the outbreak.

While epidemiologic and traceback information from CDC has shown that red onions are the likely source of this outbreak, so far, no specific source of contamination has been identified, the agency says.

This investigation is ongoing. Check back with Food Quality & Safety for breaking news related to this outbreak.