Are you checking your onions?

Did you know onions from Mexico are causing a salmonella outbreak in 37 states? According to the CDC, we should check our onions as the salmonella outbreak has sickened more than 650 people across the country.

The CDC said fresh, whole red, white, and yellow onions imported from Chihuahua, Mexico, are impacted. Prosource inc. has distributed them to grocery stores and restaurants throughout the US. The last impacted batch of onions was imported on Aug 27th but can last up to three months in storage. The CDC believes these onions can still be in homes and businesses.

The CDC found the first outburst in cases of Salmonella in September. There have been 657 cases tied to the outbreak, and the CDC found most cases in Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland and Illinois. The CDC says no deaths have been on record.

Suppose you have any onions labelled by Prosource inc. or any unlabeled onions. In that case, the CDC recommends that you throw them away and adequately sanitize and clean where you have placed the onion. Most people infected with Salmonella develop symptoms including; diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within six hours to six days of being exposed to the bacteria. The illness typically lasts between four and seven days, and most people recover without treatment. Children younger than five, adults 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have a severe reaction.

If you are concerned, check your kitchen and clean out any unwanted onions to avoid having Salmonella. If you do get Salmonella or are having any symptoms, contact your Primary doctor immediately.