In the summer of 2020 the CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, the FDA and Canada investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Newport linked to onions. Forty eight states reported a total of 1,132 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Newport. Illnesses started on June 19, 2020 to September 11, 2020. One hundred sixty seven people were hospitalized. There were no deaths.

As of August 31, 2020 the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) reported 515 confirmed cases in Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island. Seventy nine individuals had been hospitalized. There were no deaths attributable to salmonellosis

In early October the outbreak was declared to be over. The combined total number of cases in the United States and Canada was 1,647 with 246 hospitalizations.

Whole genome sequencing analysis showed that an outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections in Canada was related genetically to the outbreak in the United States. This means that people in both of these outbreaks likely shared a common source of infection.

Many ill people were identified as part of illness clusters. Twenty two clusters were identified in 7 states. Information from these clusters shows that many ill people ate red onions. Traceback information collected from these illness clusters identified Thomson International, Inc. of Bakersfield, CA as a likely source of the onions. Due to the way onions are grown and harvested, other onion types such as white, yellow or sweet yellow may also be contaminated.

On August 1, 2020 Thomson International Inc. voluntarily recalled red, yellow, white and sweet yellow onions. Onions were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants, and retail stores in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Onions were distributed in bulk cartons and mesh sacks ranging from 2 to 50 pounds under these brand names; Thomson Premium, TLC Thomson International, Tender Loving Care, El Competitor, Hartley's Best, Onions 52, Majestic, Imperial Fresh, Kroger, Utah Onions and Food Lion.

On August 5, 2020 the USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for products made with recalled onions. On the same day Publix recalled onions sold in bulk in stores in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Taylor Farms issued a recall of foods that were made with recalled onions. Spokane Produce Inc., Progressive Produce LLC (sold at Trader Joes and Ralph's), Kroger, Kroger Mid-Atlantic , Kroger Delta Division, Fry's Food Stores, Fred Meyer and Smith's followed with their own recalls of bulk onions or foods made with recalled onions.