Federal officials have reported an increase in E. coli poisoning cases among individuals who consumed food from McDonald’s, with 90 people across 13 states falling ill in the outbreak. The source of the outbreak has been linked to raw, slivered onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers, which came from a single supplier, Taylor Farms based in California. This supplier has since recalled the yellow onions sent to McDonald’s and other restaurant chains. The FDA has initiated inspections at Taylor Farm’s processing center in Colorado Springs and an unidentified onion grower in Washington state.
The majority of individuals interviewed by government investigators reported consuming McDonald’s items containing fresh, slivered onions, linking the outbreak to the restaurant chain. McDonald’s had distributed onions from the Colorado Springs facility to approximately 900 of its restaurants, including those in transportation hubs such as airports. After testing ruled out beef patties as the source of the outbreak, McDonald’s announced that it would resume serving Quarter Pounder hamburgers at hundreds of its restaurants.
The strain of E. coli responsible for the outbreak can cause severe symptoms including dangerous diarrhea, kidney failure, and other serious complications. Each year, it leads to about 74,000 infections in the U.S., resulting in over 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, FDA officials have stated that the current risk of illness is low because the contaminated onions have been recalled and should no longer be available in the market. They also mentioned that all reported cases occurred before the onions were removed from circulation by Taylor Farms and McDonald’s.
The FDA is actively investigating the outbreak, with a focus on identifying the exact source of contamination and preventing further illnesses. They have not disclosed the name of the onion grower in Washington state that is of interest in the investigation. The agency continues to monitor the situation closely and work with McDonald’s and other relevant parties to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to prevent future outbreaks.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department is closely following developments related to the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s and Taylor Farms. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group provides support for the department. The AP emphasizes that they are solely responsible for the content of their reporting on this public health issue. As federal agencies and food producers work to address the outbreak, it is essential for consumers to stay informed and take heed of any recalls or warnings issued to safeguard their health.
