Salmonella Outbreak Involving Onions Spreads to New York and Pennsylvania

Could the onions in your pantry or fridge make you and your family severely sick? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there's a chance.

An onion recall has grown so massively that Thomson International Inc. is recalling all of its red, yellow, white, and sweet onions nationwide and the CDC is recommending that if you don't know where your onions came from that you should not eat them and instead, dispose of them.

The onions, distributed by Thomson International Inc. out of Bakersfield, California to all 50 states, have been linked to nearly 400 people becoming ill due to a salmonella outbreak. While the CDC says that the outbreak is most likely linked to red onions, Thomson is pulling all of its onions off store shelves.

The CDC suggests that you check your onions, looking at the package or for a sticker on the onion indicating if it’s from Thomson International, Inc. They also suggest, "If you don’t know where your onions are from, don’t eat, serve, or sell them or any food prepared with them."

According to the CDC, general symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. These symptoms can occur anywhere from six hours to six days after being exposed to the bacteria and can last from four to seven days. Those with weakened immune systems, children under five and adults 65 and over are most likely to display the most severe symptoms.

If you believe that you've been exposed to salmonella, you should seek medical help and also report your illness to your local health department.