A food scientist says Canadians may have to seek out new sources of flavour as U.S.-grown onions are pulled from produce sections because of concerns about salmonella contamination.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says Thomson International is expanding its recall of red onions to include the yellow, white and sweet yellow varieties.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has identified the California-based grower91裸聊视频檚 red onions as a likely source of the salmonella outbreak across the country.
As of Aug. 2, the agency says there are 120 confirmed cases in Canada, including 56 in Alberta, 43 in British Columbia, 13 in Manitoba and four in Saskatchewan.
READ MORE:
Keith Warriner, a food science professor at University of Guelph, said onions and related products may be hard to come by in the grocery aisle out of an abundance of caution about potential cross-contamination.
91裸聊视频淐lear the shelves, start again. That91裸聊视频檚 the playbook,91裸聊视频� Warriner said. 91裸聊视频淚 think we91裸聊视频檒l get our onions back soon enough, but I think you91裸聊视频檒l notice (more product) recalls in all these dribs and drabs.91裸聊视频�
If you do spot an onion at the store, Warriner said check the label to make sure it wasn91裸聊视频檛 grown in the U.S.
Salmonella outbreaks linked to onions are uncommon, said Warriner. He suspects improperly composted manure may be the cause of contamination, or the bacteria may have travelled through irrigation water.
While the recall applies to onions that have been imported since May, Warriner said it91裸聊视频檚 tough to tell when the outbreak began because onions have such a long shelf life.
For Canadians unsure what to do with their supply, Warriner said the watchword in food safety is 91裸聊视频渋f in doubt, throw it out.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淣obody wants a bout of salmonella, not only because it can literally kill you, but because of secondary symptoms, which include arthritis, and it can make you more susceptible to other illnesses.91裸聊视频�
In most cases, he said cooking kills salmonella. But there91裸聊视频檚 concern that the bacteria could be on the outside of the onion and spread to kitchen surfaces and other ingredients.
Warriner said it shouldn91裸聊视频檛 be too long until grocers restock their shelves with onions from other countries, such as Mexico, and growing season will soon get underway in Canada.
91裸聊视频淭he system is pretty robust,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 won91裸聊视频檛 be surprised if we see onions again in a week or two.91裸聊视频�
Until then, the one-time chef suggests using alternatives such as leek and garlic to add some zest to your recipes.
91裸聊视频淵ou can get dried onions,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淏ut they91裸聊视频檙e not very nice.91裸聊视频�
READ MORE:
Adina Bresge, The Canadian Press
Like us on and follow us on .
Want to support local journalism during the pandemic? Make a donation
