FDA, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions. To date, the outbreak has resulted in 652 illnesses, 129 hospitalizations, and no deaths, and spans 37 states.
FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing but has identified ProSource Inc. (also known as ProSource Produce, LLC) of Hailey, Idaho, and Keeler Family Farms of Deming, New Mexico, as suppliers of potentially contaminated whole, fresh onions imported from the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.
ProSource Produce LLC has agreed to voluntarily recall red, yellow, and white onions imported from the area with import dates from July 1 through August 27, 2021. Descriptors of these onion types include, but are not limited to, jumbo, colossal, medium, and sweet onions. FDA’s traceback investigation identified Keeler Family Farms as an additional common supplier of onions from Chihuahua, Mexico for many of the restaurants where sick people reported eating. When FDA met with the firm, the firm agreed to voluntarily recall all red, yellow, and white onions imported from Chihuahua from July 1 through August 31, 2021.
Illness subclusters investigated in this outbreak are currently associated with restaurants and food service locations. The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products or firms are linked to illness. FDA is also working to determine whether these onions were available to consumers through grocery stores.
Investigation Background
Epidemiological data collected by investigators from the CDC and state and local partners identified 20 illness clusters at restaurants where onions were served. Information from these clusters shows that many ill people ate raw onions. Investigators worked to identify a common food item eaten by all of the sick people in an effort to identify the source of the outbreak.
State officials collected food items from some of the restaurants where sick people ate. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Oranienburg was found in a sample taken from a takeout condiment cup containing cilantro and lime. The sick person reported that the condiment container also contained onions, but none were left in the cup when it was tested. FDA’s traceback investigation identified ProSource Inc. as a common supplier for many of the restaurants that sick people reported eating at, including the restaurant where the sample from the condiment cup containing cilantro, lime, and onions, was collected.
FDA continues to conduct its traceback investigation to determine whether additional products or suppliers have been affected. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
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