In the ongoing investigation of a salmonella outbreak in Canada linked to red onions from the United States, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has reported an additional 49 illnesses since Aug. 31, according to a press release.
As of Sept. 14, there are 506 confirmed cases of salmonella in Canada; 116 in British Columbia, 292 in Alberta, 34 in Saskatchewan, 25 in Manitoba, 14 in Ontario, 24 in Québec, and 1 in Prince Edward Island.
Two deaths have also been reported, but investigations have confirmed that salmonella did not contribute to the cause of death for both individuals.
UPDATE: 506 confirmed cases in Canada. If you are unsure where a red/yellow/white/ sweet yellow onion was grown, do not eat it. Onions grown in Canada are not associated with this outbreak. Onions from the United States are under investigation. https://t.co/kQQiNTh7Gr pic.twitter.com/jbQqAJiCS2
— Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) September 14, 2020
Through a collaborative effort between public health and food safety partners in Canada and the U.S., the PHAC said that traceback information has found that the contaminated red onions are coming from Thomson International Inc.
As a result, the PHAC has advised Canadians to not eat, use, sell, or serve any red, white, yellow, and sweet yellow onions from Thomson International Inc., or any products made with those onions. They added that people should not eat onions if they are unsure of where they came from, or are unlabeled.
There is no evidence that onions grown in Canada are associated with the outbreak.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has already issued a number of food recalls for related products that come to Canada, and additional food recall warnings are possible.
Salmonella bacteria are found naturally in the intestines of small animals, birds and reptiles, and are most commonly transmitted to people when they contaminate food which usually comes from animals such as poultry, beef, milk, eggs as well as fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Symptoms of salmonella can include fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headaches, and vomiting.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.