An Associated Press release yesterday (September 8, 2009) states that two California produce shippers have recalled thousands of cases of green onions supplied by an onion farm in Mexicali, Mexico, over fears the onions could be contaminated with salmonella. Department of Agriculture inspectors found salmonella in a routine test taken last month. No illnesses have been reported. Officials notified the shipper, Steinbeck Country Produce. The company issued a voluntary recall for 3,360 cartons. The shipper Ocean Mist Farms recalled 1,746 cases as well, after realizing they came from the same lot.

It’s not the onions, people, it’s the number of hands and chemical “inputs” on the onions that make the difference. As Michael Pollan says, “Shake the hand that feeds you.” If your produce comes from three thousand miles away and takes half an army to get it to you, that’s a lot of hands touching what you put in your mouth. Buy local and support your neighborhood farm. If you don’t know where it is, click the “Local Harvest” button on the left side of the page and find out!

Oh, one more note: did you notice that the test turned up positive in August, but the recall wasn’t issued until September? Let’s be careful out there!

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