Salmonella Outbreak from Diced Onion Products Distributed in Long Term Care Settings

The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued a food safety alert regarding a Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh diced onions. The outbreak has resulted in 73 illnesses across 22 states and has been linked to Gills Onions brand fresh diced onion products. These products have been distributed to long term care facilities.

What Long Term Care Facilities Should Do:  

1. Check facility freezers and refrigerators for recalled onion products and throw them away.
2. Do not serve recalled Gills Onions products or foods made with recalled onion products.
3. Wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have come in contact with recalled onion products.

Symptoms of Salmonella: 

• Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
• Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
• Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
• Some people—especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.