FDA ends Salmonella alert for Chihuahua onions

CHIHUAHUA – The health alert issued since September of last year by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to avoid the consumption of onion from the state of Chihuahua due to an outbreak of salmonella, was withdrawn.

The Secretary of Rural Development of Chihuahua, Lilia Merodio, informed that the alert has been overcome; however, in the next few weeks, FDA personnel will be in the state to supervise, together with personnel from the National Service of Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (Senasica), the new protocols to certify onion producers.

FDA investigated a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to whole, fresh onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, in cooperation with the competent Mexican authorities. It was as of February 2, 2022, when the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) declared this outbreak as ended.

According to FDA data, the CDC counted a total of 1040 ill persons in 39 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

In September 2021, as part of the ongoing investigation to determine the product causing the illnesses, FDA import operations implemented enhanced Salmonella screening for onions imported into the United States, but no samples were collected because the growing season had ended and the product was no longer being imported.

As a result of this outbreak, the U.S. government initiated domestic investigations, as well as Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) inspections of domestic companies importing onions from the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.

Upon inspection of these U.S. importers, it was determined that they were in compliance with applicable FSVP requirements, including conducting risk-based activities to verify that imported food met U.S. safety standards.

Although the outbreak has ended, FDA announced that it will continue to work closely with the appropriate Mexican authorities through the established Food Safety Alliance to investigate potential sources of contamination within the region and implement prevention strategies for the upcoming growing season.

Source: MEXICONOW Staff