McDonald’s E.coli Outbreak Affects Over 100, Linked to Onions

US health officials have reported that 104 individuals have fallen ill due to E.coli, which has been associated with slivered onions served on certain McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers across America. In an update released on Wednesday, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclosed that 34 individuals were hospitalized as a result of the outbreak, and one man passed away in October. McDonald’s supplier, Taylor Farms, initiated a recall of the onions in October. This action followed an announcement by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that E.coli – a bacterial strain capable of causing severe gastrointestinal issues – present in the onions was the “likely source” of the contamination. McDonald’s stated that it has secured an alternative supplier and has resumed offering Quarter Pounders with onions at the restaurants that were impacted. The CDC indicated that the onset of illness among affected individuals spanned from 12 September to 21 October. The onions were directly distributed across numerous western and midwestern states, specifically including Colorado, Iowa, and Kansas. Additional regions, such as Oklahoma, Idaho, and New Mexico, also experienced effects. The FDA, along with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, has gathered onion and environmental samples from McDonald’s establishments and distribution facilities. Among those who fell ill, four individuals developed haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a rare kidney ailment known to harm red blood cells. The federal agency reported that sample testing remains in progress, further noting that it had finalized onsite inspections at an onion cultivation facility in the state of Washington and a Taylor Farms processing plant in Colorado. Health officials, in the FDA’s update, indicated their ongoing collaboration with the food supplier and its clientele. The update stated: “At this time, there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants.” It further mentioned that it was “unlikely” the recalled onions were “sold to grocery stores or directly to consumers.” In October, McDonald’s temporarily halted sales of the Quarter Pounder burger in approximately a fifth of its US restaurants as a measure against the outbreak. Several consumers have initiated legal proceedings against the company, including a proposed class-action lawsuit that was filed in October. The company announced in October that it had ceased its relationship with the onion supplier and had eliminated the onions from its supply chain. The fast-food chain recommenced burger sales across all its American restaurants after reporting that samples of its beef patties, collected by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, showed no presence of the bacteria. On 29 October, McDonald’s chief executive, Chris Kempczinski, issued an apology for the outbreak, stating that the company was “sorry for what our customers experienced.” He further added: “We offer our sincere and deepest sympathies and we are committed to making this right.” In a statement, McDonald’s confirmed it had “identified an alternate supplier” for approximately 900 restaurants that had “temporarily stopped serving Quarter Pounder burgers with slivered onions.” It stated: “Over the past week, these restaurants resumed the sale of Quarter Pounder burgers with slivered onions.” The statement concluded: “Food safety is something we will never compromise on, and we remain committed to doing the right thing.” The BBC has reached out to Taylor Farms for a statement. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.