Recall -- Firm Press Release

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Gills Onions Expands Voluntary Recall of Diced and Slivered Red and Yellow Onions, and Diced Onion and Celery Mix Because of Possible Health Risk

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Consumer:
888-220-0436

Media:
Amy Philpott,
703-472-6615
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -July 25, 2012 - Gills Onions, LLC of Oxnard, CA is expanding its July 18 voluntary recall to include additional products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes; a list is provided at the end of this release. The expanded product list includes diced, slivered and whole peeled onions and diced onion/celery mix with use-by-dates on or before August 3. No illnesses have been linked to 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 products were shipped directly from Gills Onions to retailers in Canada and the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Washington.

Gills Onions and FDA have been conducting concurrent investigations into the possible cause of contamination that led to the company’s July 18 recall. In the course of these investigations, Listeria was found in the facility in which the July 18 recalled product was processed. As a precautionary measure, Gills Onions has expanded the recall to include all products processed in that facility and which may still be in the marketplace. This facility has been out of service since July 17, pending the outcome of the investigation and mitigation efforts.

Although none of the products included in this expanded recall has tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, the company is issuing this voluntary recall in order to minimize risk to public health. The company has been working with state and federal health officials to thoroughly investigate the facility in question.

Gills Onions is notifying all customers who received the recalled product directly from the company and requesting that they remove it from commerce. We are also asking our direct customers to notify their customers of this recall. Gills Onions is issuing this press release and keeping the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and California Department of Public Health informed of its recall process to assure that consumers are properly alerted.

 “Our priority right now is to carry out this recall effectively and efficiently in order to reduce the risk to public health,’ said Steve Gill, president of the company.  “We’ve identified the problem, and we are taking aggressive actions to prevent this from happening again. These initial actions include the formulation of a panel of food safety experts and microbiologists with expertise in Listeria control, an expansion of the required microbial surveillance and sanitation programs, and continued testing.”

No illnesses have been linked to this recall. Anyone who has the recalled product in their possession should not consume it and should destroy or discard it. Consumers with questions may contact Gills Onions at 1-888-220-0436 M-F 8am-5pm PDT. Please visit our website at www.gillsonions.com   for a copy of this release.

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