The product is beyond its use-by-date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall, and no other Gills Onions product is affected by this recall.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
The recalled diced red onions were distributed directly from Gills Onions to retailers in Canada and retailers and foodservice distributors in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Idaho, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Arkansas, Ohio, Tennessee, New Jersey, Georgia, and Florida.
Recalled product sold at retail was packaged in a 7oz. clear plastic clamshell, labeled Gills Onions with the May 17, 2012 use-by-date and the lot code 51RDA1A2119 stamped on the UPC label. The UPC number in Canada is 643550 00045 0 and the UPC number in the United States is 643550 00041 2. However, since this number can also be on other products, please refer to the lot code in order to identify the recalled product. Photos are available on our website. Anyone who has the recalled product in their possession should discard it.
Product sold to foodservice customers was packaged in 5 lb clear plastic bags, identified as Gills Onions Diced Red Onions, and stamped with an expiration date of May 14 or 15, 2012. The lot code 51RDA1A2119 is also stamped on both the bag and box. Photos are available on our website.
This voluntary recall was initiated as a result of a routine and random test directed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Gills Onions has notified all customers who received the recalled lot directly from the company and requested that they remove from commerce any of the expired product they may still have in stock. As an extra precautionary measure and because we do not always know to whom our direct customers sell our products, we are also asking our direct customers to notify their customers of this recall. Gills Onions is keeping the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency informed of its recall process to assure that consumers are properly alerted.
Consumers with questions may contact Gills Onions at 1-800-348-2255, M-F 8am-5pm PDT or at 1-209-678-1354 today, Saturday, May 19, 2012.
