Fast-food chains were taking precautions after fresh onions were identified as the likely source of an E. coli outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants that has affected 49 people and resulted in one death. As a result, Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King, and Yum Brands announced that they were removing fresh onions from their menu items. Taylor Farms, the supplier of the sliced onions, has recalled batches of yellow onions produced in a Colorado facility, leading to the precautionary measures by various fast-food chains.
Despite Taylor Farms also being a supplier for Burger King, only 5% of Burger King locations have removed onions from their menu, and the company has not reported any illnesses related to the E. coli outbreak. Yum Brands, which owns KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, decided to remove onions from its menu items “out of an abundance of caution.” The US Department of Agriculture confirmed that fresh onions were the likely source of the outbreak, while the Food and Drug Administration continues to investigate other possible sources.
E. coli outbreaks in the past have negatively impacted sales at fast-food chains as consumers avoid affected restaurants due to health concerns. McDonald’s has responded to the current outbreak by removing the Quarter Pounder from approximately one-fifth of its US restaurants, specifically in areas such as Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming. McDonald’s is taking measures to contain the damage caused by the E. coli outbreak while working to reassure customers about the safety and quality of its products.
In response to the situation, Burger King has instructed its locations to not use onions for the foreseeable future. McDonald’s has not provided a comment regarding the situation. Analysts like David Tarantino from Baird Equity Research have expressed concerns about the impact of the outbreak on consumer sentiment, which could potentially hurt US comparable-store sales. Previous outbreaks at chains like Chipotle Mexican Grill and Jack in the Box have resulted in significant drops in sales over multiple quarters, underlining the importance of McDonald’s quick response.
The fast-food industry continues to navigate the challenges posed by food-related incidents like E. coli outbreaks. While the affected fast-food chains take precautions to address the current situation, regulators are actively investigating the cause of the outbreak to prevent further cases. It is essential for these restaurants to ensure the safety and quality of their food offerings to maintain consumer trust and loyalty while dealing with the aftermath of such health incidents. Customers’ perceptions of the safety of fast food following E. coli outbreaks play a significant role in shaping their dining choices, underscoring the importance of effective crisis management and transparent communication from restaurant chains.
