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An outbreak of salmonella poisoning linked to bagged, precut onions has sickened at least 73 people in 22 states, including 15 who were hospitalized, U.S. health officials said Tuesday. Gills Onions of Oxnard, California, has recalled packages of diced yellow onions, red onions, onions and celery and a mix of onions, celery and carrots, known as mirepoix. The products recalled had use-by dates in August 2023. They are no longer for sale in stores, but consumers may have them — or foods made with them — in freezers. Consumers should not eat, sell or serve the onions for foods made with them, health officials said. (Aleccia, 10/24)

The San Diego Health Department has confirmed an outbreak of 13 confirmed or probable cases of Shiga-toxin-producing E. Coli linked to a restaurant in San Diego, California. ... According to the health department, seven cases were hospitalized, and at least one case developed a more severe complication, hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can affect a person's kidneys and blood clotting functions. (DeLetter, 10/25)

Four more people tested positive for tuberculosis in Olathe after a high school student was diagnosed earlier this month, according to the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. (Klick, 10/25)

Consumer Reports said on Wednesday it had found "concerning" levels of lead and cadmium in a third of various chocolate products it tested recently, and called on Hershey to reduce the amounts of heavy metals in its chocolate. The non-profit consumer group said 16 of the 48 products from various makers that its scientists tested contained potentially harmful levels of lead, cadmium or both. ... Products found to contain excessive metal content included a dark chocolate bar and hot chocolate mix from Walmart, cocoa powder from Hershey's and Droste, semi-sweet chocolate chips from Target, and hot chocolate mixes from Trader Joe's, Nestle and Starbucks. (Stempel, 10/25)

Babies exposed to a set of common chemicals in the womb may be at higher risk of gaining weight rapidly during early childhood, a recent study suggests. The research, published last week in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, identified a link between exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in utero and a rapid increase in a child’s body mass index from birth to 9 years of age. (Mogg, 10/25)

As much comfort as you think your yellow pillow brings you, however, it’s time to say goodbye. All that discoloration, experts say, is an accumulation of grime that can pose problems for respiratory, skin and sleep health. “These old yellow stinky pillows, while there is some type of emotional attachment to them, are exposing you to allergens and creating a breeding ground for mold,” said Dr. Zachary Rubin, a pediatric allergist in Illinois. “Plus, as these pillows wear off over time, they don't give you the kind of neck support that you need.” (Camero, 10/25)

Colorado has just endured its worst West Nile season since the virus became endemic in the state in the early-2000s. As of Wednesday, the state had seen 613 cases of West Nile, including 373 hospitalizations and 309 neuroinvasive cases — the most severe form of the disease. There have been 45 deaths reported. (Ingold, 10/26)

Veterans who are female, LGBTQ and served after 9/11 are more likely to have experienced recent serious psychological distress compared to other veteran groups, according to a report released this week. But while younger veterans are more likely to experience that distress, they're also more inclined to proactively seek out mental health services and drug or alcohol abuse treatment, according to the report. These post 9/11 vets are part of a generation that is more racially and ethnically diverse than prior groups of vets. (Baker, 10/25)

Experts who study internet use say that the magnetic allure of social media arises from the way the content plays to our neurological impulses and wiring, such that consumers find it hard to turn away from the incoming stream of information. (Richtel, 10/25)