Salmonella Outbreak Linked to California Onion Producer

The outbreak of salmonella that's sickened hundreds of people across Canada and the US is now linked to a company in Bakersfield California.

 

Thomson International is recalling all varieties of onions that could have been contaminated. The recall affects onions sent out to stores and restaurants from May 1st of this year, to the present. But there's word that Thomson might not be the only source of the tainted onions, that other companies in the US are also being investigated. Most people recover from salmonella without treatment, but for kids or adults over 65 with weakened immune systems, it can be severe.

 

Initially, the outbreak last week affected 114 people in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and PEI.  The number has increased to 239 confirmed cases in Canada as of August 7. From all accounts the outbreak is only from onions in the US, not those produced by Canadian producers. Consumers are being warned not to eat onions unless they know where they were sourced.

Video: Conserving Canada's Working Farmlands

An interprovincial working group is collaborating to advance a simple goal: ensuring that the voluntary protection of farmland receives the same federal tax treatment as land conserved for ecological purposes. The group is advocating for consistent, fair incentives that support long term protection of Canada’s agricultural land.