McDonald's blames California-based farm onions for E. coli outbreak

CHICAGO, Illinois: McDonald's has identified onions from Taylor Farms in Salinas, California, as the source of a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounder hamburgers, prompting the fast-food giant to pull the menu item from several states.

The outbreak has affected at least 49 people across 10 states, with one reported death. Health investigators are focusing on slivered onions as the probable source of contamination.

In response to the contamination, other fast-food chains, including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Burger King, temporarily removed fresh onions from some of their locations as a precaution.

"As we continue to monitor the recently reported E. coli outbreak, and out of an abundance of caution, we have proactively removed fresh onions from select Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC restaurants," Yum Brands said in a statement.

However, Yum Brands has not disclosed which of its locations were affected.

U.S. Foods, a leading supplier to various restaurants nationwide, also issued a recall on peeled, diced, and whole yellow onions from a Taylor Farms facility in Colorado due to potential E. coli contamination. Although U.S. Foods does not supply McDonald's, it is cooperating fully with the recall. Meanwhile, Taylor Farms has not responded to multiple inquiries for comment.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to confirm whether it is investigating Taylor Farms specifically. According to an FDA spokesperson, the agency is examining all potential sources of the outbreak.

In a similar response, Burger King disposed of onions from the Taylor Farms Colorado facility at its locations, even though no illnesses were reported at its restaurants. The company confirmed it is restocking onions from other suppliers to ensure food safety. Chipotle stated that it does not source onions from Taylor Farms or any of its Colorado facilities.

This outbreak, linked to E. coli 0157, a harmful bacteria producing a dangerous toxin, has hospitalized at least ten people. Some cases have been severe, including a child who developed a serious kidney condition due to the infection. Symptoms of E. coli contamination generally appear within one or two days of exposure and can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), and dehydration.

Following the outbreak, a Colorado resident, Eric Stelly, filed a lawsuit against McDonald's after contracting an E. coli infection he claims came from eating at a local McDonald's on October 4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the contaminated food led to infections, which were confirmed between September 27 and October 11.