CDC: Onions ‘likely source’ of McDonald’s E. Coli Outbreak

Fresh, slivered onions served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders and other menu items are the “likely source” behind an outbreak of E. coli, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Although 15 more illness have been reported, the infections occurred before the company removed the contaminated onions from its restaurants. The agency believes the current risk to the public is very low.

Earlier, McDonald’s resumed selling Quarter Pounders at 900 locations where sales had been paused, after Colorado health officials found no E. coli in samples of the burger’s beef patties.

“The issue appears to be contained to a particular ingredient and geography, and we remain very confident that any contaminated product related to this outbreak has been removed from our supply chain and is out of all McDonald’s restaurants,” the company said in a statement.

McDonald’s stated that slivered onions from its supplier, Taylor Farms, were responsible for the infections.

The company removed slivered onions from affected locations and Taylor Farms independently recalled the onions from all restaurants that received them. Additionally, McDonald’s announced it would indefinitely stop sourcing onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility.

E. coli infections

In total, 90 cases of E. coli infection were reported between Sept. 27 and Oct. 16, resulting in at least 27 hospitalizations. Two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure, and an older adult died from the infections in Colorado.

Colorado reported the highest number of infections with 29 cases. Additional infections have been confirmed in Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.