Health officials in the United States are recalling onions and onion foods produced by Thomas International, Inc. because they are linked to an outbreak of salmonella.

The recall covers more than 40 states. Consumers are advised to discard onions and products, Click on Detroit Reports.

Types of onions include red, white, yellow, and sweet yellow varieties. Other companies have also issued food recalls, such as chicken salads, made from the recalled onions.

The FDA has reported a total of 640 cases of Salmonella Newport infections nationwide, including 36 in Michigan, as of August 6. A total of 85 resulted in hospitalizations.

• Check the packaging or look for a sticker on the onion to see if it is from Thomson International, Inc., or one of the brands below. If so, don’t eat it. Throw it.
• Other brands that may appear on the labels are: Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, Tender Loving Care, El Competitor, Hartley’s Best, Onions 52, Majestic, Imperial Fresh, Kroger, Utah Onions and Food Lion.
• If you’ve used onions to make other foods and you don’t know where the onions come from, don’t eat the food.
• Wash and sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with onions or their packaging, such as countertops, storage bins, refrigerator drawers, knives and cutting boards.

See the FDA Recall Alert here for photos of the labels.