The newest Salmonella Newport outbreak has sickened at least 396 people in 34 states and has hospitalized 59. The outbreak is potentially linked to red onions sold by Thomson International. Those onions were recalled last week. But which stores sold the onions recalled for possible Salmonella contamination? And are products made with those onions recalled?
According to recall notices posted on their web sites, ALDI, Food Lion, Giant Eagle/Market District, Kroger, Publix, Stop & Shop/Giant Food Stores, Smiths, Fry’s, Fred Meyer, and Walmart allegedly sold these onions under various store names and brand names, and some were used to make other products such as salads and stir fries.
In addition, Taylor Farms is recalling meat and poultry products made with these onions that were sold at HEB stores, Walmart stores, and others in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Those items include Chicken Salad Deli Snack, Marketside Southwest Style Salad with Chicken, and Taylor Farms Cheddar Cheese & Chicken Salad Snack Tray, among others.
And Costco recalled red onions and products made with them on August 7, 2020. The onions were sold at various stores in different states around the country.
Red and yellow onions packaged by Progressive Produce sold at some Trader Joe’s and Ralph’s stores on the west coast were recalled on August 10, 2020.
On August 11, 2020, Spokane Produce Inc. recalled Saddlin’ Up Salsa and Salsa Verde products that were made with the recalled Thomson International Onions.
The recall notices state that these onions, along with products made with them, should not be sold. We don’t know if any of these stores sold any onions potentially linked to the outbreak. Most of these recalls specifically state that no illnesses have been reported in association with their recalled items.
ALDI
ALDI, in partnership with Onions 52, recalled red, white and yellow onions from select stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Sweet onions were removed from select stores in Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. The onions were also available through Instacart orders. More details on the recalled onions:
- Sweet onions were packaged in a 2 pound bag, with UPC number 033383602912 in Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
- Red onions, also packaged in a 2 pound bag with UPC number 033383601014, White onions sold in 2 pound bags with UPC number 033383600512, and Yellow onions, sold in a 3 pound bag with UPC number 033383600024, were sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
Food Lion
Food Lion has recalled all varieties of onions that have come into contact with the red onions that are potentially contaminated with Salmonella Newport. The recalled items are jumbo red onions sold between May 24 and July 31, and jumbo white onions, jumbo yellow onions, and three pound bags of yellow onions sold between May 24 through August 1. The onions were sold at select Food Lion stores in the produce section.
The recall also includes sliced red onions and stir fry vegetables that were prepared in-store and sold in the in-store cut fruit and vegetable department at the same select Food Lion stores between May 24 and July 31, 2020.
Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle is recalling prepared foods and deli items that were made with the recalled. You can see the long list of recalled items at the Giant Eagle recall page at gianteagle.com. They include Pepper Steak over Rice, Cajun Style Chicken, Zucchini Pancakes, MD Caprese Salad, MD Buffalo Chicken Salad, MD Greek Salad with Balsamic Dressing, Berry Salad for Two, Cucumber Salad, Italian Hero, Sheet Vegetable Pizza, and Lemon Almond Chicken Salad, among others.
In addition, Giant Eagle/Market District recalled onions that were sold since June 6, 2020. They include bulk and bagged Spanish onions with PC/PLU/NC number 4093, bulk and bagged white onions with PC/PLU/NC 4663, and bulk and bagged red onions with PC/PLU/NC 3286 and 4082.
Kroger, Smiths, Fry’s, Fred Meyer
Kroger is recalling red, white, small yellow onions, and Kroger yellow onions for solid at Kroger, Smiths, and Fry’s stores for possible Salmonella contamination. The onions listed below were sold between May 11, 2020 and August 3, 2020 at Smiths stores. They include:
- Yellow onions small, with PLU number 4665 and purchase dates May 18, 2020 through July 6, 2020.
- White onions – medium, with PLU number 4663 and purchase dates May 11, 2020 through August 3, 2020.
- Red onions with UPC number 11110-18222 in 2 pound bags, with purchase dates May 11, 2020 through August 3, 2020.
- Kroger yellow onions with UPC number 11110-91682, sold in 3 pound bags with purchase dates May 11, 2020 through August 3, 2020.
These onions were recalled from Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana, Fry’s, and Smiths stores:
- Vidalia onions and yellow jumbo, with PLU number 4166 and purchase dates June 13, 2020 to June 23, 2020.
- Red onions with UPC number 11110-18222, packaged in 2 pound bags and sold through June 13, 2020 through June 23, 2020.
- Sweet onions import medium, sold in 5 pound bags with UPC number 33383-60283 and purchased from June 13, 2020 through June 23, 2020.
These items were sold at Krogers stores in the Greater Memphis area in Tennessee, and in Arkansas; Mississippi; Western Kentucky; North Carolina; Virginia; Eastern West Virginia; Eastern Kentucky; Southeastern Ohio; and Fred Meyer stores. The purchase date for all of the below products are May 15, 2020 through August 1, 2020.
- Red onions jumbo with PLU 4082
- While onions – medium with PLU number 4663
- Yellow onions – small with PLU number 4665
- Red Onions in 2 pound bags with UPC number 11110-18222
- Yellow onions sold in 5 pound bags with UPC number 11110-18223
- Kroger yellow onions sold in 3 pound bags with UPC number 11110-91682
- Kroger white onions sold in 2 pound bags with UPC number 11110-91684
- Kroger white onions sold in 2 pound bags, with UPC number 33383-60051
Publix
Publix Super markets is recalling red onions packaged by Del Monte Fresh Produce that is associated with the Thomson International Inc. recall because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The red onions were sold in bulk merchandise displays in the produce department of Publix stores in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
The bulk red onions have the product look-up number (PLU) 4082. All lot codes shipped to Publix in the month of July are recalled.
Stop & Shop/Giant Food Stores
Stopo & Shop and Giant Food Stores are recalling items made with the Lancaster red onion products. They include:
- Lancaster Kabob Kit in 30 ounce packages, with UPC number 081305501884 and codes 8/8 and 8/11
- SB Corn Cob Kabobs in 24 ounce packages, with UPC number 068826755664 and codes 8/9 and 8/13
- SB Grill Veg with Mushroom in 21 ounce packages, with UPC number 068826754362 and codes 8/7, 8,8, 8/9, and 8/10
- SB Stir Fry Blend in 14 ounce packages with UPC number 068826755342 and codes 8/8, 8/9, 8/10, and 8/12
- SB WH Mushroom Kabob Kit in 17 ounce packages, with UPC number 068826754361 and codes 8/7, 8/9, 8/11, and 8/12
- Store Brand Diced Red Onions sold in 8 ounce boxes, with UPC number 68826716310 and codes 8/9, 8/10, and 8/13
Walmart
Walmart stores are recalling red, white, yellow, and sweet onions from 1,500 Walmart stores in 26 states. The states where those stores are located are Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
If you purchased any of these recalled onions linked to the Salmonella Newport outbreak, do not eat them. Throw them away in a secure garbage and, or take them back to the place of purchase for a refund. You should then clean the area where you stored the onions and wash your hands well.
Does cooking the onions kill the salmonella or not? I can’t imagine everyone falling ill is eating them raw. I know salmonella is killed by high temperatures but haven’t seen anything regarding that in relation to this particular outbreak. Thanks.
Yes, cooking to a temperature of 165°F does kill Salmonella bacteria, as long as every tiny bit of food actually does reach that temperature. But the problem with using a product contaminated with pathogens is the possibility of cross-contamination. If a contaminated food comes into contact with a food contact surface in the kitchen, or another food that is eaten without cooking, someone can still get sick. That’s why experts tell people to discard any food that is recalled for contamination.
I purchased one large yellow onion with code 4093. Is it safe?
Depends on where you bought it. The PLU number for Giant Eagle/Market District recalled onions include bulk and bagged Spanish onions is 4093. If it were me I wouldn’t use it.
I have the same ones 4093 SWEET D. Isn’t on list from Walmart or Kroger in Louisiana. I wonder now if I should return
If I were you I would definitely return them; they technically aren’t recalled but new recalls are being added as the investigation continues.
So you are saying it’s safe to purchase onions at acme?
I have not seen any recalls for any ACME stores. However, these recalls are expanding so often I can’t say they won’t be part of a recall. The best thing to do is look at the brand names of the recalled onions and onion products and avoid those.
So, are the white onions for sale at Kroger in Nashville now considered safe?
All of these products should be removed from store shelves. But I would advise you to contact your grocer to be sure. And since new recalls are still being issued, we don’t know if any more onions will be included in future recalls.
Hey, what about of the unbranded Sweet Yellow Onions with #4093 USA/E.U.sell by Walmart in Clarksville TN.? Please I need to know because I bought a lot of those for my sofrito and now I am confused because I don’t know if those are in the recall also. I need response from Walmart as soon as possible. Thanks.
As far as I know those onions are not part of the recall. However, Walmart has recalled sweet yellow onions, but not in Tennessee as of 8/13/20. If you aren’t sure, just don’t eat them; if it were me it’s not worth the risk.
I purchased onions at wal mart Aug 11th. Tag says desert spring 4663. Are they ok?
Walmart has issued a general recall, but I don’t think that variety is recalled. The best thing to do is call Walmart and ask. Be aware that these recalls are expanding and more products may be recalled.
I just bought a red and sweet onion from Target on the 11th of August, should i throw them out? Are they on the recall list
Target is not on the list of stores that sold recalled onions, as of today 8/13/20. The brand names of recalled onions are Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, Tender Loving Care, El Competitor, Hartley’s Best, Onions 52, Majestic, Imperial Fresh, Kroger, Utah Onions and Food Lion. If you aren’t sure, don’t eat it.
Hi I just bought Sweetland Farms Vidalia onions from Publix in SC they are from Georgia. Are these onions good?
Publix has recalled red onions that were sold in Georgia. Vidalia onions aren’t part of a recall as far as I know, but these recalls are expanding daily. The best thing you can do is contact Publix and ask.
Anyone know if Shop Rite here in NJ had the contaminated red onions
As far as I know Shop Rite did not carry any of the recalled onions. But again, these recalls are still expanding and they may be recalled in the future.
I purchased red onions from Walmart on August 7th, 2020. Will these be good? I didn’t hear about it until after I purchased them. Wouldn’t they have pulled the onions in question already and replaced with good ones? Under Walmart there are no PLU’s to look for. The PLU for the red onions I have from Walmart is 4082. Which if purchased at Kroger would be a no go! Thanks for any help you can give.
Yes, Walmart would most likely have rolled the onions. But since the PLU number is the same as the Kroger variety, if it was me I would throw them away; the Walmart recall is vague with no numbers. It’s just not work taking the chance. Walmart may accept a return if you explain the situation.
Is shop rite yellow onions from new York
Shoprite onions are not on the recall lists as of 8/13/20. The brand name list of recalled onions is: Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, Tender Loving Care, El Competitor, Hartley’s Best, Onions 52, Majestic, Imperial Fresh, Kroger, Utah Onions and Food Lion. If you aren’t sure, don’t eat it.
Thank you for this info. What can we do? Myself & my husband live on onions!
H E L P !!! I know you can’t but hoping. Ugh.
As long as you don’t buy the recalled onions you should be fine. The FDA just updated the recall information today. Ask your grocer if you aren’t sure. And stay updated on the recalls; you subscribe to our newsletter or check back frequently on the FDA recall page.