Throw the Onions in the Trash, Says the CDC
When we cook with onions, we realize that there is a good chance that chopping them raw can make us cry . But usually we don’t expect endless diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Unfortunately, hundreds of people across the country suffer from digestive upsets due to Salmonella infection that they have contracted as a result of eating onions.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is not a recall, but rather a “food safety warning.” Here’s what you need to know about problem bows, including how to know if the one you have at home should be thrown away.
What you need to know about a salmonella outbreak
The most recent outbreak data available dates back to October 18, 2021 , when there were 652 cases of Salmonella infections in 37 states, including 129 hospitalizations – but thankfully no deaths – as a result of the ongoing onion-related Salmonella outbreak. reports the CDC .
However, the CDC notes that the actual number is likely much higher, as patients with mild cases may not report their illness, and it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person’s illness may be associated with an outbreak.
Where did this bow come from?
The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are actively investigating the origins of the outbreak, but as far as we know it may include fresh, whole red, white, and yellow onions imported from Chihuahua, Mexico and distributed by ProSource Inc.
Onions were last imported into the United States on August 27, 2021, according to ProSource Inc., but since they can last for up to three months, they may still be on shelves in grocery stores across the country. …
How to tell if you can eat onions
So how do you know if onions may make you nauseous? Start by inspecting any whole red, white, or yellow onion to see if it has a sticker on it or if it comes in the original packaging. If so, and if the label states that the products were imported from Chihuahua, Mexico and distributed by ProSource Inc., CDC recommends discarding them .
If your bow doesn’t have a sticker on it, or if it comes in a package that says where it was produced, CDC also recommends throwing it away just in case. In the meantime, when buying new bows from the store, CDC recommends sticking to those that have a sticker or packaging indicating they are not from Chihuahua / ProSource Inc.
Finally, if you have any of the bulbs affected by the outbreak in your home, be sure to wash all surfaces and / or containers that they may have touched. CDC suggests doing this using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.