In brief
The U.S. CDC and FDA are investigating an E. coli outbreak related to McDonald's, with 104 reported illnesses and one death linked to contaminated slivered onions supplied by Taylor Farms. McDonald's has since switched suppliers and resumed sales of affected burgers.
More than 100 individuals have fallen ill in an E. coli outbreak connected to slivered onions used in McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers across the United States. As reported by U.S. health officials, the outbreak has resulted in 104 cases of illness, with 34 hospitalizations, and tragically, one death last month.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicated in a recent update that contaminated onions from McDonald's supplier, Taylor Farms, were identified as the "likely source" of the bacteria. Following these revelations, Taylor Farms recalled their onions, prompting McDonald's to halt the sale of Quarter Pounders with slivered onions in roughly 20% of its restaurants.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), illness onset dates vary, with 12 September through 21 October marking the affected period. The contaminated onions were distributed across many western and midwestern states, including Colorado, Iowa, and Kansas, as well as other areas such as Oklahoma, Idaho, and New Mexico.In response to the outbreak, the FDA has been collecting onion and environmental samples from McDonald's outlets and distribution centers in cooperation with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Of the individuals who became ill, four developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe kidney disorder linked to E. coli infection.As investigations continue, health officials have indicated no ongoing food safety concerns related to this outbreak at McDonald's locations. The FDA noted that it is "unlikely" that the recalled onions were sold to grocery stores or other consumers.McDonald's has since replaced its onion supplier and resumed selling the Quarter Pounder with slivered onions in restaurants that had temporarily stopped these sales. The fast-food chain announced that it had completed tests confirming their beef patties were free from the pathogen.In a firm commitment to customer safety, McDonald's CEO, Chris Kempczinski, publicly expressed his regret regarding the outbreak, stating the company would address the matter and extend their "deepest sympathies" to those affected. The firm’s focus remains on food safety, with assurances that they will continue to uphold these standards moving forward. Legal actions, including a proposed class-action lawsuit, have also emerged against the company due to this incident.
