Are heb onions safe to eat?

In this brief article, we will answer the questions, are HEB onions safe for consumption, what are HEB onions, what are uses of onions and their nutrient composition. We will also explore previous cases of recalls and also how to grow onions. 

Are HEB onions safe to eat?

HEB onions are safe to eat. The onions you buy should be labeled according to the USDA regulations. 

These regulations emerge after there was an outbreak of salmonellosis. 37 county states were affected. The H-E-B company assured us that their onions were safe. 

What are HEB onions?

These are onions sold and processed by H-E-B supermarket in Texas county. H-E-B supermarkets are a large organization with over 37 stores in Texas county alone. 

Onions are used as spices and also contain medicinal attributes. Onions are vegetables that are commonly known and widely used. 

Onions are plants of the genus Allium cepa. They are bulb-like and have different colors ranging from brown, white and purple. They are of a pungent smell when sliced and have chemicals that irritate the eyes. 

What are the uses of onions?

They are mainly used as spices and are served as part of a savory dish. They are widely used in serving salads whether they are baked, boiled, braised, grilled, fried, roasted, sautéed, or eaten raw. 

Their hollow nature makes them easy to slice. Onions can also be eaten as snacks after pickling them with vinegar. 

Onions have large cells and are wrapped on films. This makes them suitable for scientific use to study cell structure. Thin onion films are picked and are observed under the microscope under low magnification. 

Onions are rich in natural chemicals that are harvested to make pesticides. These pesticides are used in control of carrot  flies in carrots. Onions are rich in oil and are sometimes used to make hair oils. 

Onions can be processed to provide a dark brown red dye. They also contain quercetin that serves as an antioxidant when ingested. They are also toxic to dogs and cats. 

What is the nutrient composition of onions?

Onions have a less amount of nutrients giving it a low calorie amount of 40kcal. Onions are rich in water making up 89% of the total bulb. 

They contain 9% carbohydrates that are inclusive of 4% sugar and 2% dietary fiber. Onions contain 1% protein. 

What are the benefits of consuming onions?

They contain antioxidants which help in combating free radicals in the body. They also contain less calories than other food thus making it easier to lose weight. They are rich in water content and can be used as hydrants in preparing salads. 

What are the previous recalls associated with onions?

In mid 2021 the USDA recalled all non labeled onions. This was because it was proven that they had been contaminated by a pathogenic bacteria of the Salmonella spp. This pathogen causes a disease called salmonellosis. 

It is characterized by feelings of nausea, headaches and vomiting. It is not lethal to the extent of death in adults but can be in children. 

How are onions grown?

In growing onions you need a grow bag, seeds, fertilizer, water and ample soil. The grow bag should be placed in a sunny area to promote growth of the seeds. 

The seeds are prepared by soaking them in water for one day. They are drained and kept in the open for the next 2-3 days after which the seeds are sown in the soil in a tray.

The seeds take 6-8 weeks to sprout. Meanwhile the planting area is prepared and the soil is well fertilized using either organic or inorganic manure. You can buy quality seeds from here. 

The trays are well monitored and well irrigated to ensure maximum growth of the saplings(sprouted onion seedlings). After 2-3 months the onion bulb tops are seen and you should get ready to harvest the onions. 

Conclusion. 

In this brief article, we have answered the questions, are HEB onions safe for consumption, what are HEB onions, what are uses of onions and their nutrient composition. We have also explored previous cases of recalls and also how to grow onions.

Citations. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2021/10/21/salmonella-outbreak-onion-recall-prosource-mexico-onions/6115318001/
https://www.consumerreports.org/food-recalls/throw-away-unlabeled-red-white-and-yellow-onions-says-cdc-a1047686011/
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/Onions-linked-to-salmonella-outbreak-sickening-16552352.php