Keeler Family Farms recalls red, yellow and white onions over Salmonella concerns

Keeler Family Farms is voluntarily recalling red, yellow and white onions shipped between July 1 and Aug. 25, imported from Chihuahua, Mexico, because they may be contaminated with Salmonella, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Oct. 22.

Salmonella can be potentially life-threatening, especially to infants, older people, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. It can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella’s most common symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever. Salmonella’s symptoms usually develop between eight to 72 hours after consumption of the contaminated food and last about four to seven days.

The Defense Commissary Agency has publicized this recall to all its stores, said Richard Stith, chief, public health division, DeCA headquarters at Fort Lee, Virginia. Whenever a commissary has recalled or withdrawn products in its inventory, they are immediately removed from store shelves.               

The following brand is affected by this recall:

• MVP red, yellow and white onions: packaged in 25 and 50 pound mesh sacks

The recalled products were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants and retail stores in all 50 states.

Over 650 illness have been reported including 202 hospitalizations.

Customers should return this product to the commissary of purchase for a full refund.

While investigations into various potential sources of Salmonella remain ongoing, to date no onions marketed through Keeler Family Farms have tested positive for Salmonella.

Consumers with questions may contact Keeler Family Farms at (575) 652-5405, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.