Outbreak Summary
A massive and fast-growing nationwide outbreak of Salmonella illnesses has been linked to onions imported from Mexico and distributed by ProSource, Inc. (also known as ProSource Produce, LLC) and Keeler Family Farms. OFT has filed the first lawsuit stemming from this outbreak on behalf of a man who was hospitalized after eating raw onions on a taco served at a Mexican restaurant in Illinois.
ProSource has initiated a voluntary recall of whole raw onions (red, yellow, and white) shipped from Chihuahua, Mexico, between July 1, 2021, and August 31, 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.
On September 17, 2021, the CDC first announced this “fast growing” outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg illnesses. When first announced, there were 127 illnesses and 18 hospitalizations related to this outbreak. On September 23rd, the CDC announced the outbreak had already grown to 284 cases. As of October 29th, the outbreak has grown to 808 known cases. The cases are spread throughout the country, with at least one case in 37 different states from California to New York.
According to the CDC, at least 20 outbreak clusters were identified at restaurants where onions were served. It is likely that the outbreaks at El Sombrero and La Mex in Illinois are among these clusters. We are aware of at least one other Salmonella outbreak linked to a Mexican restaurant in Illinois that has not been formally announced.
We represent many people who have been sickened in this outbreak and our Salmonella lawyers have filed lawsuits on behalf of many individuals sickened in other outbreaks like these. We are working hard to get to the bottom of this one. This page will update as we uncover more information. If you or a loved one believe you were sickened in this outbreak, please call or contact us using the form on this page for a free consultation.
More Details
A nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg illnesses has been linked to fresh whole red, white, and yellow onions imported from Chihuahua, Mexico and distributed by ProSource Inc. and Keeler Family Farms. So far there are 808 cases in 37 different states.
The outbreak still appears to be growing rapidly, as well over 170 cases were reported in just the two weeks ending October 14th and another 200 reported the following two weeks.
| Location | Number of Sick People |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 |
| Arkansas | 8 |
| California | 6 |
| Connecticut | 4 |
| Florida | 5 |
| Georgia | 2 |
| Illinois | 28 |
| Indiana | 1 |
| Iowa | 1 |
| Kansas | 9 |
| Kentucky | 9 |
| Louisiana | 4 |
| Maryland | 22 |
| Massachusetts | 10 |
| Michigan | 6 |
| Minnesota | 20 |
| Mississippi | 2 |
| Missouri | 5 |
| Nebraska | 6 |
| New Jersey | 5 |
| New Mexico | 8 |
| New York | 3 |
| North Carolina | 7 |
| North Dakota | 2 |
| Ohio | 5 |
| Oklahoma | 63 |
| Oregon | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 |
| South Carolina | 2 |
| South Dakota | 7 |
| Tennessee | 2 |
| Texas | 111 |
| Utah | 2 |
| Virginia | 38 |
| Wisconsin | 10 |
ProSource Inc. has agreed to voluntarily recall red, yellow, and white onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, with import dates from July 1, 2021 through August 27, 2021. These onions go by descriptions such as jumbo, colossal, medium, and sweet onions.
Keeler Family Farms is also voluntarily recalling red, yellow, and white onions shipped from July 1, 2021 through August 25, 2021 that were imported from Chihuahua, MX.
There are more than 2,500 serotypes of Salmonella, but fewer than 100 cause infections in humans. One of these illness-causing strains is a serotype called Oranienburg, which is the strain responsible for the current outbreak. Salmonella poisoning can be so severe that it requires people to be hospitalized. Already, 157 people have been hospitalized in this outbreak so far.
Salmonella can even be fatal when the infection leaves the intestines and travels to the bloodstream or other parts of the body. It is also possible to experience long-term side effects, including joint pain known as reactive arthritis, which is also called RA or Reiter’s Syndrome. This can last for months or years and result in chronic arthritis, which is difficult to treat. Reactive arthritis can also lead to eye irritation and painful urination. In rare cases, some types of Salmonella cause typhoid fever, which can be fatal.
OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers was built to get the answers you need and the results you deserve. We have recovered millions for our clients and have forced the food industry to become safer for all of us.
Our Salmonella lawyers are renowned within the food safety industry, believe in the cases we take, and have the courtroom experience to get results. We handle food injury cases nationwide and are ready to put our knowledge, experience, and resources behind your case.
OFT Food Safety & Injury Lawyers is a national law firm that focuses on food safety and protection of those who have been infected. We have experience with all types of outbreaks, including Salmonella. We offer free consultations to anybody potentially impacted by a food poisoning outbreak, and will offer honest advice about whether it makes sense to file a Salmonella lawsuit.