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                Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness

Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness

                        Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
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                        Foodborne Pathogens Home
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          Recalls, Outbreaks & Emergencies
          Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness
          Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Newport: Red Onions (July 2020)Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Newport: Red Onions (July 2020)
  
  					CDC announces the end of the outbreak; FDA releases Outbreak Investigation Report.
	
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    PrintOn March 13, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a **report on its investigation of the *Salmonella*Newport outbreak** that caused more than 1,600 reported illnesses in the U.S. and Canada between June and October 2020. The FDA worked with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state partners, and Canadian officials (Public Health Agency of Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency) to investigate the outbreak, which was linked through epidemiology and traceback to whole red onions supplied by Thomson International Inc., headquartered in Bakersfield (Southern San Joaquin Valley) with additional operations in Holtville (Imperial Valley), California.

Although a conclusive root cause could not be identified, several potential contributing factors to the 2020 red onion outbreak were identified, including a leading hypothesis that contaminated irrigation water used in a growing field in Holtville, CA may have led to contamination of the onions. Thomson International Inc. cooperated with the FDA throughout the investigation and is continuing to engage with the FDA on the agency’s findings and recommendations.

Food safety is a shared responsibility that involves food producers, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, and regulators. Recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment when it comes to public health outcomes, we encourage collaboration among various groups in the broader agricultural community (i.e. livestock owners and produce growers, state government and academia) to address this issue. The FDA is committed to working with these stakeholders to advance critical work.

For More Information:

Technical Report: Factors Potentially Contributing to the Contamination of Red Onions Implicated in the Summer 2020 Outbreak of Salmonella Newport
	FDA In Brief: FDA Releases Investigation Report Following 2020 Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Red Onions


Recall Information

**Recalled Onions**

On August 1, 2020, Thomson International, Inc. recalled all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, due to the risk of cross-contamination. Recalled products include red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions shipped from May 1, 2020 to August 1, 2020. Onions were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants, and retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.

Recalls have also been initiated by companies that sold onions or products containing recalled onions.

FDA’s List of Recalls of Food Products Associated with Onions from Thomson International, Inc.
	FSIS Public Health Alert For Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Containing FDA-Regulated Onions that have been RecalledCase Count Map Provided by CDC

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Newport: Red Onions - October 6, 2020 Case Count Map Provided by CDC
Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 1,127
Hospitalizations: 167
Deaths: 0
Last illness Onset Date: September 11, 2020
States with Cases: AK (25), AL (2), AZ (39), AR (2), CA (128), CO (32), CT (2), DE (2), FL (8), GA (11), HI (3), ID (43), IL (54), IN (4), IA (31), KS (3), KY (3), ME (6), MD (7), MA (2), MI (47), MN (19), MS (5), MO (11), MT (72), NE (10), NV (11), NH (1), NJ (12), NM (3), NY (14), NC (6), ND (9), OH (11), OK (1), OR (109), PA (27), RI (3), SC (1), SD (23), TN (7), TX (2), UT (115), VA (10), WA (150), WV (3), WI (11), WY (27)
Useful Links

Food Safety Tips for Retailers and Consumers During an Outbreak
	Food Safety Resources for Produce Shippers and Carriers During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak
	Previous Updates
	Who to Contact
	What is *Salmonella*?
	CDC's Outbreak Page
	Public Health Agency Canada Outbreak Page
	Technical Report: Factors Potentially Contributing to the Contamination of Red Onions Implicated in the Summer 2020 Outbreak of Salmonella Newport
	FDA In Brief: FDA Releases Investigation Report Following 2020 Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Red Onions


Previous Updates

October 8, 2020

The FDA, along with CDC, Canadian, state, and local partners, has been investigating a multistate outbreak of *Salmonella* Newport infections. FDA’s traceback portion of the investigation is complete and has identified Thomson International, Inc. of Bakersfield, CA, as the likely source of potentially contaminated red onions.

The multistate outbreak of *Salmonella* Newport infections linked to red onions from Thomson International, Inc. that were sold in several regions of the United States and Canada, investigated by the FDA, along with CDC, Canadian, state, and local partners, is over. The outbreak resulted in recalls for multiple onion varieties and products containing onions. FDA’s traceback investigation identified a packing facility and multiple farms that supplied red onions during the time period of interest. Joint FDA, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) field-level investigations were initiated at multiple Thomson International Inc. locations and surrounding areas within days of identifying the suspect vehicle and the firm. However, most product had already been harvested and distributed by that time. Thus far, FDA has completed over 2000 product and environmental analyses from multiple Thomson International Inc. locations and surrounding areas, including water, soil, and scat samples. Although a variety of genetic strains of *Salmonella*Newport have been detected, as well as multiple other *Salmonella* serotypes, a genetic match to the outbreak strain has yet to be identified in any of the samples collected. Additional sample analysis is underway. Although the outbreak is being declared over, the FDA will be continuing its root cause investigation and will communicate any findings that could assist future prevention efforts.

**August 18, 2020**

The FDA investigation at Thomson International, Inc. ongoing. As part of the root cause investigation at Thomson International, Inc., FDA is collecting and analyzing product, water, and environmental samples.

Following the recall from Thomson International, Inc., additional products containing recalled onions have been identified and recalled. Available recall information is included below and will be updated as more products are identified and recalled.

**August 7, 2020**

The FDA has initiated an investigation at Thomson International, Inc. to learn more about the potential source of contamination. The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Following the recall from Thomson International, Inc., additional products containing recalled onions have been identified and recalled.

**August 3, 2020**

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of *Salmonella* Newport infections. The Public Health Agency of Canada is also investigating an outbreak of *Salmonella* Newport illnesses that have a genetic fingerprint closely related to the U.S. outbreak.

Investigators in the U.S. and Canada have been collaborating to identify the source of this outbreak. On July 30, 2020, Canadian health officials announced that they had determined red onions from the U.S. to be the potential source of the Canadian outbreak. The Canadian investigation has also prompted a recall warning by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Building on this information, and on epidemiologic information on the U.S. outbreak from CDC, the FDA’s traceback investigation was able to identify Thomson International, Inc. as a likely source of contaminated red onions in the U.S.

On August 1, 2020, Thomson International, Inc. recalled all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, due to the risk of cross-contamination. Recalled products include red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions shipped from May 1, 2020 to present.

**July 31, 2020**

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of *Salmonella* Newport infections. The Public Health Agency of Canada is also investigating an outbreak of *Salmonella* Newport illnesses that have a genetic fingerprint closely related to the U.S. outbreak.

Investigators in the U.S. and Canada have been collaborating to identify the source of this outbreak. On July 30, 2020, Canadian health officials announced that they had determined red onions from the U.S. to be the potential source of the Canadian outbreak. The Canadian investigation has also prompted a recall warning by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Building on this information, and on epidemiologic information on the U.S. outbreak from CDC, the FDA’s traceback investigation was able to identify Thomson International, Inc. as a likely source of contaminated red onions in the U.S.

Who to Contact

**Consumers who have symptoms**should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a **complaint**or **adverse event**(illness or serious allergic reaction), you can

Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinatorif you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.
	Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online.
	Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to FDA.Submit Questions/Get Assistance

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                                                                                  Content current as of:
      06/23/2021
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesTopic(s)
			  OutbreakOutbreaks of Foodborne Illness

          
                        Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Public Health Advisories from Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Food Safety Tips for Consumers & Retailers During an Outbreak of Foodborne Illness
          Food Safety Resources for Produce Shippers and Carriers During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak
          Outbreak Investigation Reports
          How to Report Seafood-Related Toxin and Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning Illnesses
          About the CORE Network
          CORE Annual Reports
          CORE Publications


                        Foodborne Pathogens
 
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