The Ministry of Health is investigating Salmonella Oranienberg outbreak in Ontario, which may possibly be linked to green onions sold at Highland Farms stores in the GTA.
There have been 25 cases identified since late July, and a large proportion of individuals affected are males in their 20s in the Greater Toronto Area.
The source of the outbreak is unknown but the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, working in conjunction with the health ministry, is warning individuals not to consume green onions from five Highland Farms Supermarkets, as they may be contaminated.
The affected green onions were sold between July 30th to August 1st, unwrapped with a rubber band, and did not have a lot code sticker or product name, at the following Highland Farms locations:
- 4750 Dufferin Street, North York
- 3300 Rutherford Road, Vaughan
- 850 Ellesmere Road, Scarborough
- 148 Bennett Road, Scarborough
- 50 Matheson Boulevard, Mississauga
According to the CFIA, food contaminated with salmonella may not look or smell spoiled.
Symptoms of salmonellosis include high fevers, severe headaches, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis. Symptoms generally occur within 6 to 72 hours after exposure to contaminated food and may last 2 to 5 days.
"Salmonella can cause serious illness and, in rare cases, death among the very young, elderly and those with weakened immune systems arising from chronic medical conditions," said Dr. Arlene King, Chief Medical Officer of Health, in a news release.
"People need to remember to properly handle and prepare food."
