Additional Onion Recalls Tied to Salmonella Outbreak

Potandon Produce L.L.C. of Idaho Falls, Idaho is updating its Oct. 26 voluntary recall of onions supplied from Keeler Family Farms and sold as Green Giant Fresh to include 3lb. and 5lb. bags of whole yellow onions and 2 lb. bags of whole white onions shipped between July 15 and August 22, 2021 to a UNFI retail distribution center in Champaign, Illinois. This recall does not affect any other Green Giant Fresh products or include any Green Giant canned or frozen vegetable products.

The recalled onions are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

We have notified UNFI about this updated recall of onions sourced from Keeler Family Farms. A list of the additional recalled onions sourced from Keeler Family Farms is provided in Table 1 below. For easy reference, Table 2 includes the October 26 recalled items also sourced from Keeler Family Farms.

Potandon Produce is issuing this press release and keeping the U.S. Food and Drug Administration informed of its recall process to assure that consumers are properly alerted.

The recall was initiated after an onion-packer informed the company it had supplied Potandon Produce with onions recalled by Keeler Family Farms.

Anyone who has the recalled whole onions in their possession or has used them as an ingredient in a dish should not consume them and should either dispose of the product properly or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company’s recall coordinator at 1-800-637-8084, M-F from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Mountain Time, or visit its website at www.potandon.com

The full table of recalled products can be found here.

Alsum Farms & Produce

Alsum Farms & Produce, Inc. of Friesland, Wisconsin is voluntarily recalling Alsum Farms & Produce fresh whole yellow onions in 3 lb. bags, 5 lb. bags, and 50 lb. cartons; fresh whole white onions in 2 lb. bags; and fresh whole red onions in 2 lb. bags delivered to select retailers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania between July 13, 2021 and August 18, 2021. The recalled onions were imported from Chihuahua, Mexico. This only affects onions labeled “Produce of Mexico”. The recall does not impact any other Alsum Farms & Produce products.

“The health and safety of our customers is our top priority," said Heidi Randall, COO of Alsum Farms & Produce. “We advise consumers check their home pantries for any recalled product remaining to minimize even the slightest risk to public health.”

The affected onions were sourced from Keeler Family Farms and are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. Thoroughly cooking fresh onions to 165°F/ 74°C will kill the Salmonella bacteria.

To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with onions marketed through Keeler Family Farms. Click here for more information from the FDA about this supplier recall and the potentially related symptoms. This recall is being made with the knowledge of the US Food & Drug Administration. While there is no conclusive evidence that the products were contaminated, and the recalled onions are beyond the typical shelf life of fresh summer onions, this voluntary recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution.

For additional information please refer to the description, lot codes, and labels. Click here for highlighted codes. A full list of the recalled products can be found here.