E. coli outbreak linked to onions served at McDonald’s is over, health officials say
Federal health officials have concluded their investigation into a multi-state E. coli outbreak tied to contaminated slivered onions previously served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers.
The outbreak, first identified in October, sickened 104 people across 14 states, leading to 34 hospitalizations and one death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration linked the outbreak to yellow onions distributed by Taylor Farms, which immediately issued a voluntary recall of the onions.
McDonald’s followed suit by removing the recalled product from its restaurants in affected states before finding an alternate supplier of slivered onions for hundreds of its restaurants.
“The CDC and FDA confirmed that their respective investigations into E. coli at McDonald’s have been closed,” officials from the fast food chain said in a statement. “Federal and state officials have repeatedly said that our immediate actions in October made any risk to the public ‘very low,’ and the risk has remained very low since then.”
Of the 104 reported cases, nearly 99% of the patients interviewed said they had eaten at McDonald’s before becoming ill, and 84% specifically recalled consuming menu items containing slivered onions.
Colorado and Montana reported the highest case numbers, with each state logging between 16 and 30 illnesses.
Symptoms of E. coli infection can range from severe stomach cramps and diarrhea to life-threatening complications like kidney failure. Federal and state officials emphasized the importance of food service providers following safe handling and cleaning practices to prevent cross-contamination.
While additional tests on the recalled onions did not detect the specific outbreak strain, evidence pointed to the yellow onions as the likely source, officials said. The CDC confirmed there were no new illnesses linked to McDonald’s following its actions in October.
Restaurants that may have purchased the contaminated onions were urged not to serve them and to throw out any frozen supplies. The FDA said it is unlikely any contaminated onions were sold to grocery stores or directly to consumers.
To read the results of the FDA’s completed investigation, click here.
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