March 29, 2024

Onion recall includes Iowa

ProSource Produce LLC of Hailey, Idaho, is voluntarily recalling whole raw onions red, yellow, and white shipped from Chihuahua, Mexico, between July 1 and Aug. 31 because they may have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The products are whole raw onions (red, yellow, and white) that were shipped to the United States from Chihuahua, Mexico were distributed in Iowa. No fresh onions that originated in Chihuahua have been shipped by the company since the end of August.

While investigations into various potential sources of salmonella remain ongoing, to date no onions marketed through ProSource have tested positive for salmonella. This voluntary recall is being conducted out of an abundance of caution, in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), based on reported illnesses which have been associated with the possible consumption of fresh onions that originated in Chihuahua and shipped to the U.S. during July and August 2021.

The onions were distributed to wholesalers, broadline foodservice customers, and retail stores in 50 lb., 25 lb., 10 lb., 5 lb., 3 lb., and 2 lb. mesh sacks; and 50 lb., 40 lb., 25 lb., 10 lb., and 5 lb. cartons, by the following distributors and/or under the following brands:

Big Bull, Peak Fresh Produce, Sierra Madre, Markon First Crop., Markon Essentials, Rio Blue, ProSource, Rio Valley, and Sysco Imperial. Representative examples of product labels are below.

Consumers who have purchased onions that originated in Chihuahua are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund or throw them out. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (208) 928-4959, Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm MDT.