Dozens In Washington Sickened By Onion-Linked Salmonella Outbreak

SEATTLE, WA — At least 25 people across Washington have gotten sick as part of a large salmonella outbreak that has been tied to onions.

The outbreak has sickened a total of 640 people across the country, and its believed the onions were sold in every state and the District of Columbia. In Washington, cases were reported in King, Benton, Spokane, Asotin, Snohomish, Garfield, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, San Juan, Thurston, Walla Walla, Yakima, and Clark counties.

A voluntary recall has been issued for the onions, but they may be difficult to spot because they were sold under a variety of different brands, including: Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, Tender Loving Care, El Competitor, Hartley’s Best, Onions 52, Majestic, Imperial Fresh, Kroger, Utah Onions, and Food Lion.

The onions came in red, yellow, white and sweet yellow varieties but were all produced by Thomson International and shipped between May 1 and the present. They were also all sold in mesh sacks ranging from 2 to 50 pounds.

The Washington State Department of Health says anyone who has a sack of onions meeting those descriptions should toss it in the trash. The DOH also says anyone who has onions but isn't sure where they came from should toss those too. They should also wash and disinfect any surfaces the onions touched.

Salmonella can cause a variety of symptoms like:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Chills
• Abdominal Discomfort
• Vomiting

Anyone suffering those types of symptoms should contact their doctor immediately.