Food safety investigation: Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to red onions imported from the United States

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On July 30, 2020, the Public Health Agency of Canada issued a Public Health Notice about an Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to red onions imported from the United States.

This outbreak is linked to an outbreak of Salmonella Newport illnesses being investigated by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that have a similar genetic fingerprint to illnesses reported in Canada. Investigators in Canada and the U.S. continue to collaborate to exchange information and identify commonalities in the outbreak information that may identify additional sources of illness or help to identify the cause of contamination in the red onions.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada and other federal and provincial public health partners, and with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate this outbreak associated with onions and products that contain onions.

The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

For ease of reference, here is the complete list of products that were recalled as a result of the food safety investigations in both Canada and the United States.

These products may also have been purchased on-line or through various restaurant locations. They may also have been sold in bulk or in smaller packages with or without a label and may not bear the same brand or product names as described below.

If you are unsure of the identity of the onions in your possession, check with your place of purchase.

On this page

List of recalled products

Last updated: 2020-09-18

For consumers and retailers

Brand name Common name Size UPC Code(s) on product Additional information Distribution
Modern Tarragon Remoulade 250 mL 8 47004 00014 4 Best before date:
SEP 23 2020		 None British Columbia, Manitoba, and possibly other provinces and territories.
Modern Meat 'Crab' Cakes 300 g 8 47004 00009 0 Best before date:
JAN 18 2021		 None British Columbia, Manitoba, and possibly other provinces and territories.
Modern Meat 'Crab' Cakes 6 × 50 g 8 47004 00009 0 Best before date:
JAN 18 2021		 None British Columbia, Manitoba, and possibly other provinces and territories.
Krown Red Onion 4.54 kg / 10 lb None All units sold up to and including August 5, 2020 None
  • Frontier Foods, 311 Centre St., Frontier, SK
  • Pip's Country Store, 4806 Selkirk Ave., Edgewater, BC
  • Northern, 2 Inuit St. (Box 281), Kugluktuk, NU
  • Northern, Mackenzie Dr. (Box 143), Tulita, NT
  • Northern, 807 Tetlit Gwich'In Rd. (Box 60), Fort McPherson, NT
  • Edgewood General Store, Box 16, Edgewood, BC
  • Northern, Box 158, Ulukhaktok, NT
  • Northern, 991 Mistassiniy Rd. (Box 90), Wabasca, AB
  • Northern, 41 Breynat St. (Box 47), Fort Smith, NT
  • Whitemud Grocer, 220 Centre St., Val Marie, SK
  • Rock Creek General Store, 4105 Hwy. 3, Rock Creek, BC
  • Hidden Valley Foods, 108 Maple Ave. S, Eastend, SK
  • Slocan Village Market, 519 Harold St., Slocan, BC
  • Balfour Superette, 7824 Hwy. 3A, Balfour, BC
  • The Sea Store, 9226 Kokanee Rd., Vernon, BC
  • Cut Knife Family Foods, 112 Broad St. S (Box 487), Cut Knife, SK
  • J & D Meat & Groceries, 435 Elliot St., Quesnel, BC
  • PGI Market On 5th, 2900 5th Ave., Prince George, BC
  • Clarke's General Store, 5750 Horsefly Rd., Horsefly, BC
  • J & S Confectionery, 4714 Herald St., Macklin, SK
  • Kinuso AG Foods, 225 Centre St. (PO Box 390), Kinuso, AB
  • Northern, 2 Town Sq. (Box 9000), Norman Wells, NT
  • Northern, Box 260, Tuktoyaktuk, NT
  • Little Kingdom, 11284 Westside Rd., Vernon, BC
  • Blind Bay Country Market, Golf Course Dr., Blind Bay, BC
  • E.M. Grocers, PO Box 130, Denzil, SK
  • Lakeview Store, 14729 Hwy 3A, Gray Creek, BC
  • 70 Mile General Store, 1556 Cariboo Hwy. (PO Box 129), 70 Mile House, BC
Krown Yellow Onion 4.54 kg / 10 lb None All units sold up to and including August 5, 2020 None
  • Loon Lake Fine Foods, PO Box 189, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Loon Lake, SK
  • Lac La Hache Food Mart, Box 100, Lac La Hache, BC
  • Clinton Budget Foods, 1429 Cariboo Hwy., Clinton, BC
  • The Store, 5 Main St. (Box 68), Acadia Valley, AB
  • Balfour Superette, 7824 Hwy. 3A, Balfour, BC
  • J & D Meat & Groceries, 435 Elliot St., Quesnel, BC
  • Clarke's General Store, 5750 Horsefly Rd., Horsefly, BC
  • Buffalo River Mini Mart, Chief Pierre Nezaroche St., Dillon, SK
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co. Mild Fresh Salsa 375 mL 6 28130 03751 4 BBD:
21 SEP 2020
25 SEP 2020
28 SEP 2020
02 OCT 2020		 None Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co. Medium Fresh Salsa 375 mL 6 28130 03752 1 BBD:
21 SEP 2020
25 SEP 2020
28 SEP 2020
02 OCT 2020
05 OCT 2020		 None Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co. Hot Fresh Salsa 375 mL 6 28130 03753 8 BBD:
21 SEP 2020
25 SEP 2020
28 SEP 2020
02 OCT 2020		 None British Columbia
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co. Extra Hot Fresh Salsa 375 mL 6 28130 03754 5 BBD:
21 SEP 2020
25 SEP 2020
28 SEP 2020
02 OCT 2020		 None British Columbia
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co. Salsa Fresca 2.2 L 6 28130 00221 5 BBD:
28 SEP 2020
05 OCT 2020		 None British Columbia
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co. Savory Southwestern Black Bean & Corn Salsa 220 mL 6 28130 02204 6 BBD:
15 AUG 2020
21 AUG 2020
28 AUG 2020		 None Alberta, British Columbia
Fresh is Best Salsa & Co. Tropical Fruit Salsa 220 mL None BBD:
06 AUG 2020		 None British Columbia
Skeena Select BBQ Beef Sub 295 g 0 204157 706994 All best before dates up to and including AU.11.20 None British Columbia
Skeena Select Pizza Sub 405 g 0 204109 706997 All best before dates up to and including
AU.10.20		 None British Columbia
Skeena Select Broccoli Salad Variable Starts with
0 205116		 All best before dates up to and including
AU.11.20		 None British Columbia
Skeena Select Chicken Quesadilla 280 g 0 205153 105996 All best before dates up to and including
AU.11.20		 None British Columbia
None Greek Salad Variable Starts with
0 205106		 All best before dates up to and including
AU.11.20		 None British Columbia
None Greek Pasta Salad Variable Starts with
0 205130		 All best before dates up to and including
AU.11.20		 None British Columbia
None Curried Quinoa Kale Salad Variable Starts with
0 205117		 All best before dates up to and
including AU.11.20		 None British Columbia
None Gourmet Sandwiches Entertaining Variable Starts with 257369 All packed on dates up to and including August 7, 2020 None Sold at various IGA, Safeway, Sobeys and Thrifty Foods locations in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
None Gourmet Sandwiches Sm Variable Starts with
240060		 All packed on dates up to and including August 7, 2020 None Sold at various IGA, Safeway, Sobeys and Thrifty Foods locations in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Freshpoint Foodservice Onion, Jumbo (yellow) 5 lb / 2.27 kg None 345 122 to 345 214

All products sold from May 1, 2020 up to and including August 1, 2020

Product code 246010

 British Columbia, Nunavut
Freshpoint Foodservice Onion, Red 5 lb / 2.27 kg None 345 122 to 345 214

All products sold from May 1, 2020 up to and including August 1, 2020

Product code 246154

 British Columbia, Nunavut
El Competidor
  • Yellow Onions
  • Red Onions
  • White Onions
  • Sweet Yellow Onions
 All sizes including bulk Variable All products imported between May 1, 2020 and August 1, 2020
  • Mesh Sack
  • Carton
  • Box
 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Imperial Fresh
  • Yellow Onions
  • Red Onions
  • White Onions
  • Sweet Yellow Onions
 All sizes including bulk Variable All products imported between May 1, 2020 and August 1, 2020
  • Mesh Sack
  • Carton
  • Box
 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Onions 52
  • Yellow Onions
  • Red Onions
  • White Onions
  • Sweet Yellow Onions
 All sizes including bulk Variable All products imported between May 1, 2020 and August 1, 2020
  • Mesh Sack
  • Carton
  • Box
 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Tender Loving Care
  • Yellow Onions
  • Red Onions
  • White Onions
  • Sweet Yellow Onions
 All sizes including bulk Variable All products imported between May 1, 2020 and August 1, 2020
  • Mesh Sack
  • Carton
  • Box
 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Thomson International
  • Yellow Onions
  • Red Onions
  • White Onions
  • Sweet Yellow Onions
 All sizes including bulk Variable All products imported between May 1, 2020 and August 1, 2020
  • Mesh Sack
  • Carton
  • Box
 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Thomson International Premium
  • Yellow Onions
  • Red Onions
  • White Onions
  • Sweet Yellow Onions
 All sizes including bulk Variable All products imported between May 1, 2020 and August 1, 2020
  • Mesh Sack
  • Carton
  • Box
 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Thomson Premium
  • Yellow Onions
  • Red Onions
  • White Onions
  • Sweet Yellow Onions
 All sizes including bulk Variable All products imported between May 1, 2020 and August 1, 2020
  • Mesh Sack
  • Carton
  • Box
 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon

For hotels, restaurants, institutions and manufacturers

Brand name Common name Size UPC Code(s) on product Additional information Distribution
Imperial Fresh Onion white diced 3/8" 25 lbs / 11.34 kg 00734730615820 SUPC 4925242 None Saskatchewan
Jim M. Koo Produce Wash Jumbo Yellow Onion 5# None None None Distributed from July 21, 2020 to July 22, 2020 inclusively British Columbia
Jim M. Koo Produce Red Onion 5LB 5 lbs None None Distributed from July 4, 2020 to July 24, 2020 inclusively British Columbia
Jim M. Koo Produce Proc Onion Peeled 20LB 20 lbs None Prepared on July 21, 2020 and on July 22, 2020 None British Columbia
None Butter Chicken Sauce (Frozen) 100 g None All units sold up to and including August 7, 2020 None British Columbia
Sobeys Herb Marinade 8 x 1.13 kg 00625265003216 Best Before 2021 JN 25 None Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba

Related food recall warnings

  • 2020-08-14 - Updated Food Recall Warning - Modern brand Tarragon Remoulade and Modern Meat brand Modern 'Crab' Cakes made with onions grown by Thomson International Inc. recalled due to Salmonella
  • 2020-08-12 - Updated Food Recall Warning - Krown brand red and yellow onions grown by Thomson International Inc. and imported from the USA recalled due to Salmonella
  • 2020-08-07 - Updated Food Recall Warning - Various products made with onions grown by Thomson International Inc. recalled due to Salmonella
  • 2020-08-07 - Updated Food Recall Warning - Red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions grown by Thomson International Inc. and imported from the USA recalled due to Salmonella
  • 2020-08-06 - Updated Food Recall Warning - Freshpoint Foodservice brand red and jumbo onions grown by Thomson International Inc. and imported from the USA recalled due to Salmonella
  • 2020-08-01 - Updated Food Recall Warning - Red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions grown by Thomson International Inc. and imported from the USA recalled due to Salmonella
  • 2020-07-30 - Food Recall Warning - Red onions imported from the USA by Sysco in Western Canada recalled due to Salmonella

Related notifications

  • 2020-08-07 - Notification - Sobeys brand Herb Marinade recalled due to Salmonella
  • 2020-08-07 - Notification - Jim M. Koo Produce brand Yellow and Red Onions recalled due to Salmonella
  • 2020-08-05 - Notification - Imperial Fresh brand Onion white diced 3/8" recalled due to Salmonella

Related public health notices

  • Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to red onions imported from the United States

Public enquiries and media

Public enquiries

Toll-free: 1-800-442-2342 (Canada and U.S.)
Telephone: 1-613-773-2342 (local or international)
Email: information@inspection.gc.ca

Media relations

Telephone: 613-773-6600
Email: cfia.media.acia@inspection.gc.ca

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