Salmonellosis is a common foodborne illness caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella. You get the infection by eating contaminated food products such as unpasteurized dairy, eggs, beef, and dirty vegetables and fruits or by handling pets, particularly reptiles and birds. Salmonella destroys the cells lining your intestine, making it difficult for your body to absorb water. This can cause typhoid-like fever, stomach pains, and diarrhea. Keep reading to learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Salmonellosis.

How Can a Person Contract Salmonellosis?

Did you know that the Salmonella bacteria live in the guts of almost every human and animal? However, transmitting the bacteria in higher quantities can cause Salmonella poisoning, leading to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues. A person can get Salmonellosis by eating, touching, or drinking:

Of the different types of toxic substances that can lead to food poisoning, salmonella is one of the most common. This bacteria is often spread through raw poultry, and unfortunately, agricultural practices in the United States can significantly increase the risks of chicken being contaminated. Government agencies often lack the power and resources to enforce regulations and ensure that food product manufacturers are following the correct safety procedures, and this has caused thousands of people to contract dangerous infections and suffer serious injuries.

Industry Practices Lead to the Spread of Salmonella

In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigated an outbreak of salmonella food poisoning that affected more than 100 people in 32 different states. This particular strain of salmonella was known as multidrug-resistant infantis. It caused people to suffer serious illnesses, and it was not affected by the antibiotics usually used to treat these types of infections. The CDC closed the investigation in 2019, but people continued to be infected, and this strain of salmonella is still present in the food supply in the United States. In fact, the CDC has noted that it is responsible for between 11,000 and 17,000 illnesses every year.

While poultry products in the U.S. are often contaminated by salmonella, government officials have little power to address this issue. Food manufacturers have argued that salmonella occurs naturally in raw meat, and courts have ruled that Congress does not have the authority to enforce regulations against salmonella infections that occur before meat enters a processing facility. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees farms and food processing plants, it does not have the power to enforce standards for the levels of salmonella present in poultry, and it rarely takes action to shut down plants with unsanitary conditions.

There are multiple types of food products that may become contaminated, leading to food poisoning. While government organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitor food products in the United States for safety, there are many cases where foods that are contaminated with harmful bacteria or viruses are sold to consumers. In one of the most recent food poisoning outbreaks, onions imported from Mexico have caused hundreds of people to become infected with salmonella.

Recalls of Onions and Related Products Due to Salmonella Contamination

Starting in September of 2021, the CDC identified an outbreak of infections of the Salmonella Oranienburg bacteria. This outbreak was linked to whole, fresh onions that were imported to the United States from Mexico. As of October 28, 2021, more than 800 infections have been reported in 37 states and Puerto Rico, and these infections have resulted in at least 137 hospitalizations. Illinois has been one of the most affected states, with 47 cases reported so far. Since the investigation is ongoing, and determining whether an illness is related to this outbreak may take multiple weeks, it is likely that many more people will be affected by this outbreak.

Because of this outbreak, multiple companies have performed recalls of onions and other food products. ProSource Produce, Keeler Family Farms, and Potandon Produce have recalled white, yellow, and red onions that were imported in July and August of 2021. These onions had been distributed to wholesalers, grocery stores, and restaurants, and they were available under brand names such as Big Bull, Sierra Madre, Rio Valley, Rio Blue, Peak Fresh Produce, and Green Giant. Meal kits produced by HelloFresh and EveryPlate have also been recalled.

Food served to customers at restaurants can become contaminated in multiple ways, and in these cases, people can suffer serious illnesses due to food poisoning. While there are many different types of bacteria, viruses, or other substances that can make foods dangerous, salmonella is one of the most common sources of foodborne illnesses. People may become infected with this type of bacteria if they eat meat that is not cooked properly, and the bacteria may also be spread if a restaurant employee does not wash their hands, if preparation surfaces and utensils are not sanitized correctly, or if food is not refrigerated or stored properly. Recently, multiple people in McHenry County contracted food poisoning due to salmonella, and this outbreak was linked to a Mexican restaurant in Fox River Grove.

El Sombrero Restaurant Closed Due to Salmonella Outbreak

Over the 2021 Labor Day weekend, several people in McHenry County received treatment for salmonella-related illnesses, and the county’s health department traced these infections back to El Sombrero, a restaurant in Fox River Grove. The restaurant has remained closed while this outbreak is being investigated. While the health department did not specify the number of people who contracted infections, it asked anyone who ate at the restaurant between August 23 and September 3 to complete a survey to provide information about their health, regardless of whether they had experienced any symptoms of food poisoning. The results of this survey provided officials with a picture of how the outbreak may have spread and affected people throughout the area.

The health department also asked people who work in “sensitive occupations” to stay home from work if they had experienced any symptoms of gastrointestinal illness after eating at the restaurant in question. These workers include people in the healthcare industry such as doctors or nurses, those whose work involves handling or serving food, and daycare workers who could potentially spread the infection to children. 

Foodborne illnesses are an ongoing concern for people in the United States. Multiple types of diseases may be spread through contaminated foods, and products are often recalled because they have been found to contain harmful viruses, bacteria, or other toxic substances. Salmonella is one of the most common sources of food poisoning, and it can cause serious health issues for those who are infected. One of the most recent outbreaks of food poisoning due to salmonella involved prepackaged Italian-style meats.

Fratelli Beretta Meats Recalled Due to Salmonella Contamination

From May to July of 2021, people in multiple states reported salmonella infections after eating meats in products manufactured by Fratelli Beretta. Illnesses were reported in 17 states, with the most cases occurring in Illinois, California, and Arizona. After an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Fratelli Beretta issued a recall of Uncured Antipasto trays.

The recall included over 800,000 pounds of products that were sold in grocery stores throughout the United States. The recall was limited to one specific Uncured Antipasto tray product that contained two 12-ounce packages of prosciutto, salami, soppressata, and coppa meats. However, the CDC is recommending that consumers avoid eating any Fratelli Beretta brand Uncured Antipasto products that have “best by” dates through February 11, 2022. Many people may still have these products stored in their refrigerators. In addition to the infections that have already been investigated, additional cases related to the outbreak may not yet have been reported, since it can take three to four weeks to determine whether an infection occurred because of one of the contaminated products.