Salmonella Outbreak Linked to California Onion Producer

The outbreak of salmonella that's sickened hundreds of people across Canada and the US is now linked to a company in Bakersfield California.

 

Thomson International is recalling all varieties of onions that could have been contaminated. The recall affects onions sent out to stores and restaurants from May 1st of this year, to the present. But there's word that Thomson might not be the only source of the tainted onions, that other companies in the US are also being investigated. Most people recover from salmonella without treatment, but for kids or adults over 65 with weakened immune systems, it can be severe.

 

Initially, the outbreak last week affected 114 people in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and PEI.  The number has increased to 239 confirmed cases in Canada as of August 7. From all accounts the outbreak is only from onions in the US, not those produced by Canadian producers. Consumers are being warned not to eat onions unless they know where they were sourced.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.