Four people in Saskatchewan among those ill after eating contaminated red onions

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has confirmed four people from Saskatchewan have fallen ill with salmonella after eating red onions grown in the U.S.

At the end of July, health authorities warned consumers in Central and Western Canada to avoid red onions from Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, Calif., as they had been linked to a salmonella outbreak.

According to PHAC, there are now 120 confirmed cases in Canada, with seven provinces affected.

The agency says although the investigation has determined red onions are the likely source of the outbreak, Thomson International Inc. has recalled all varieties of onions that could have come into contact with potentially contaminated red onions. Onion varieties include red, white, yellow and sweet yellow onions.

PHAC says Canadian-grown red onions are not affected by the advisory.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued food recall warnings for related products that came into Canada. Some of these products were possibly distributed nationally and further food recall warnings are a possibility.

The agency says the investigation is ongoing, and it’s possible that additional sources of infection will be identified.

PHAC says if you have the affected onions in your home, you should throw them out and wash your hands thoroughly.

Symptoms of salmonella include fever, chills, diarrhea, vomiting and a headache.