Investigators are working to determine whether an Imperial Valley farm was the source of onions recalled last week. Sampling conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture found a potentially deadly bacteria in one pouch of diced, bagged onions distributed by Gills Onions of Oxnard . Jack Bros. farm in Brawley grows 800 acres of onions for Gills, which recalled 45,500 pounds sold to restaurants and Trader Joe's stores in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
“Chances are it came from one of my fields," said Alex Jack.
He said state or federal officials have not contacted him about the recall.
Investigators have not identified the source of the contamination, said Gills representative Nelia Alamo.
No illnesses have been reported, Alamo said.
The onions on sale at Trader Joe's are in 10-ounce, re-sealable plastic pouches and carry the Trader Joe's brand name. Officials said consumers should avoid packages with the lot code 2017-R22 1956D with a best-used-by date of June 16, 2007 on the back.
Restaurant and other food service operators were told to look for cartons containing four five-pound bags of Gills Onions Brand or Sysco Natural Brand onions.
The bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, can cause fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Infections can sometimes be fatal in newborns, the elderly and people with weak immune systems. A Listeria infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
