Outbreak Summary
OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers are investigating a massive outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections across the United States. At least 1,127 were sickened, and 136 hospitalized..
The CDC traced the outbreak to red onions supplied by Thomson International, Inc. Thomson issued a widespread recall, and many grocery stores also recalled prepared products that may have contained the tainted onions. OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers have been retained by multiple victims sickened during this outbreak. On August 3rd, OFT lawyers filed a federal lawsuit against Thomson International in Oregon.
Although this outbreak is over, our investigation continues. Please feel free to contact us or call us at 888-828-7087 if you or a loved one was sickened in this outbreak.
More Details
At least 1,127 people in 48 states from coast to coast have become sick with Salmonella Newport infections since June 19, 2020:
According to public health investigators, the outbreak has been traced back to contaminated red onions, but consumers are advised not to eat any onions (including white, yellow, and sweet) supplied by Thomson International, Inc. A recall has been issued in Canada for red onions imported there by Sysco, and Thomson has notified the CDC that it intends to recall all its onions. Consumers should not eat any onions they have purchased that were from Thomson International—check the sticker or product packaging for the source of any onions in your pantry.
On August 1, the FDA confirmed an extensive recall of onions sold by Thomson International:
Onions were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants, and retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.
The onions were distributed in 5 lbs. carton. 10 lbs. carton. 25 lbs. carton. 40 lbs. carton, 50 lbs. carton. bulk, 2 lb. mesh sacks, and 3 lb. mesh sacks, 5 lb. mesh sacks, 10 lb. mesh sacks 25 lbs. mesh sacks, 50 lbs. mesh sacks under the brand names Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, Tender Loving Care, El Competitor, Hartley’s Best, Onions 52, Majestic, Imperial Fresh, Kroger, Utah Onions and Food Lion.
Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve red, white, yellow, or sweet onions from Thomson International, Inc. or products containing such onions. If you cannot tell if your onion is from Thomson International Inc., or your food product contains such onions, you should not eat, sell, or serve it, and should throw it out.
Giant Eagle, Publix, and Taylor Farms have also recalled many products that may have contained the red onions. Further information on recalled products is available at the FDA website.
There are more than 2,500 serotypes of Salmonella, but fewer than 100 cause infections in humans. One of these strains, called Newport, has been implicated in the current outbreak. Salmonella poisoning can be so severe that it requires people to be hospitalized, and the CDC reports that 167 people have been hospitalized in the current outbreak.
Salmonella can even be fatal when the infection leaves the intestines and travels to the bloodstream or other parts of the body. It is also possible to experience long-term side effects, including joint pain known as reactive arthritis, which is also known as Reiter’s Syndrome. This can last for months or years and result in chronic arthritis, which is difficult to treat. Reactive arthritis can also lead to eye irritation and painful urination. In rare cases, some types of Salmonella cause typhoid fever, which can be fatal.
OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers was built to get the answers you need and the results you deserve. We have recovered millions for our clients and have forced the food industry to become safer for all of us.
Our Salmonella lawyers are renowned within the food safety industry, believe in the cases we take, and have the courtroom experience to get results. We handle food injury cases nationwide and are ready to put our knowledge, experience, and resources behind your case.
OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers is a national law firm that focuses on food safety and protection of those who have been infected. We have experience with all types of outbreaks, including Salmonella. We offer free consultations to anybody potentially impacted by a food poisoning outbreak.
Call us today at (866) 477-2141 or use our online contact form.