Onion Recall: McDonald’s Supplier Pulls Products Amid E.coli Outbreak Concerns

According to News Week, Taylor Farms has announced a recall of certain onion products due to possible E. coli contamination, following an investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) into an E. coli outbreak connected to McDonald’s restaurants across at least ten U.S. states.

E. Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders

The FDA disclosed the outbreak on October 22, reporting 49 cases of E. coli infection, including 10 hospitalizations and the death of an elderly man. The contamination is believed to be linked to either the slivered onions or beef patties used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. In response, Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of several raw onion products supplied to McDonald’s.

Recalled Onion Products and Urgent Message to Food Distributors

U.S. Foods distributed a message to customers, indicating that products from Taylor Farms may be contaminated. They advised businesses to stop using the affected products immediately and to record and destroy any remaining stock. The recall involves the following items:

• Yellow jumbo peeled pillow pack fresh onions (30 lbs)
• Yellow 3/8-inch diced pillow pack fresh onions (4-5 lbs)
• Yellow diced fresh onions (5 lbs)
• Yellow whole peeled fresh onions (6-5 lbs)

Ongoing FDA Investigation

An FDA spokesperson confirmed the agency is conducting a traceback investigation, working with federal and state partners to determine if onions are indeed the source. The FDA has collected samples for analysis and confirmed that yellow onions were sold to other food service providers beyond McDonald’s. Direct notifications have been sent to customers who received the affected products.

Impact on McDonald’s Menus in Affected States

McDonald’s locations across Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have removed slivered onions and beef patties from menus as a precaution. Colorado is the most affected state, with 26 reported cases of E. coli among customers who had eaten a Quarter Pounder hamburger.

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E. Coli Symptoms and Health Risks

E. coli symptoms include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. Severe infections can lead to kidney complications or organ failure, with young children, infants, and elderly adults being the most at risk. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after eating at McDonald’s should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

Expert Insights on E. Coli O157 and Food Safety

Food safety expert Natalie Stanton explained that while most E. coli strains are harmless, E. coli O157—the strain potentially linked to this outbreak—can be particularly dangerous, causing foodborne illness that leads to hospitalization.

This recall comes amid heightened concerns over bacterial contamination in food, reinforcing the importance of food safety practices across the industry.