On May 19, the FDA initiated a diced red onion recall, 2,360 pounds from Gills Onions, located in Oxnard, California because it may be contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes.

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.

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, according to the FDA. 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.

According to Gills Onions website, the recalled lot code is 51RDA1A1A2119 and use-by-dates May 14, 15 and 17,2012. No illnesses have been reported as of yet and no other Gills Onions product is affected by this recall.

These red onions were distributed to retailers in Canada and foodservice distributors in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Idaho, Texas, Illinois, Michigan, Arkansas, Ohio, Tennessee, New Jersey, Georgia, and Florida.

This voluntary recall was initiated as a result of a routine and random test directed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

In addition, Gills Onions has notified all customers who received the recalled lot directly from the company.