The Recall Desk
CriticalFDA (Food)·F-1273-2020·Announced 2020-09-02

Thomson International Recalls Yellow Onions Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

Thomson International is recalling yellow onions nationwide and in Canada after a traceback investigation linked red onions to a Salmonella Newport outbreak.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class I and is linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Newport illnesses, meeting the criteria for a Critical severity score.

Plain-English summary

Thomson International, Inc. is recalling yellow onions packed under various brand names, including Onions 52, Majestic, Hartley's Best, Kroger, Food Lion, Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, El Competitor, Tender Loving Care, and Imperial Fresh. The recall covers 18,750 tons of onions shipped from May 1, 2020, to the present, distributed nationwide and in Canada.

The recall was initiated after a traceback investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella Newport illnesses identified red onions as a suspect vehicle. Following notification from the FDA, the firm voluntarily initiated this recall of its yellow onion products. The agency has classified this recall as Class I, indicating a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, the violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

Consumers who have purchased these products should check their pantries for the specific brand names and package sizes listed in the recall notice. Affected products include mesh sacks and cartons in various weights, such as 3 lb, 5 lb, 10 lb, 25 lb, 40 lb, and 50 lb. Consumers should stop using the product and contact the retailer where it was purchased for a refund or follow instructions provided by the recalling firm.

The recalled product

Product
Yellow onions; Packed under brand names of Onions 52, Majestic, Hartley's Best, Kroger, Food Lion, Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, El competitor, Tender Loving Care, Imperial Fresh. Onions 52: 10 lb. mesh sack - UPC 33383 60004 3 lb. mesh sack - UPC 33383 60002

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Lot numbers (3)

  • ALL CODES- shipped from May 1
  • 2020 to present
  • Lot coded 511-521-531-541-551-561-571-591-450

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 4 recalled by Thomson International, Inc. under a single FDA (Food) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 4 products in this recall →