4 Salmonella cases in Sask. linked to potentially contaminated red onions

Four confirmed cases of Salmonella Newport illness have been found in Saskatchewan. The illnesses are linked to potentially contaminated red onions from a company in California.

These four cases are part of six additional illnesses found since July 30 in an ongoing Canadian food safety investigation.

There are now 120 confirmed cases of red onion-linked Salmonella Newport illness in Canada.

The Public Health Agency of Canada warns against eating, selling or serving any red, white, yellow, and sweet yellow onions from the Californian company Thomson International Inc. The company has recalled these specific onions due to the risk of cross-contamination.

Those in Canada who became sick reported eating red onions at home, in dishes ordered at restaurants and in residential care settings. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, those with the Salmonella reported becoming sick between mid-June and mid-July.

Seventeen people in Canada have been hospitalized due the outbreak.

Those infected with Salmonella typically experience diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after they are infected.

Onions grown in Canada are not affected and are not recalled at this time.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says children aged five years and under, seniors, pregnant women or people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk for becoming infected.

The agency is requesting that Saskatchewan residents not to eat any red onions or products containing red onions that are imported to Canada from the U.S. until further information on the outbreak is uncovered

• If you buy onions at grocery or convenience stores:

  • Make sure they are not selling onions from Thomson International Inc., or serving fresh foods prepared with them.

  • If you can't confirm that the onion in stores is not from Thomson International Inc., don't buy it.

• If you order salad or any other food items containing onions at a restaurant or food establishment:

  • Ask the staff whether their onions come from Thomson International Inc. If they did, or they don't know, don't eat it.

  • Contact your local public health authority to report any food safety concerns at restaurants or grocery stores, or if you suspect food poisoning from a restaurant or other food establishments.