Fast-food giants scramble as E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders claims a life and sickens dozens.
At a Glance
- E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders results in 1 death, 49 illnesses across 10 states
- Yum! Brands (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC) and Burger King remove onions from select locations
- Taylor Farms recalls certain onion products; FDA investigates supplier as potential outbreak source
- McDonald’s removes slivered onions and beef patties from affected locations
- CDC warns of potential unreported cases, urges public vigilance
Deadly E. coli Outbreak Rocks Fast Food Industry
An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has sent shockwaves through the fast-food industry, prompting swift action from major chains. The contamination, traced to slivered onions, has resulted in one death and 49 illnesses across ten states. In response, Yum! Brands, which owns Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC, has recalled onions from select outlets. Burger King has followed suit, removing onions from approximately 5% of their stores nationwide.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working diligently to investigate the outbreak’s sources and mitigate risks. As the situation unfolds, the public is urged to stay alert and informed. This outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of food safety measures and the potential consequences when they fail.
Industry-Wide Response and Precautionary Measures
In the wake of the outbreak, McDonald’s has taken immediate action by removing Quarter Pounders from menus in affected areas and discontinuing the use of suspect onions. The company’s USA President, Joe Erlinger, assured the public of their swift response, stating, “We are very confident that you can go to McDonald’s and enjoy our classics. We took swift action yesterday to remove the Quarter Pounder from our menu.”
Burger King has taken precautionary measures, removing onions from approximately 5% of their restaurants that received products from the affected Taylor Farms Colorado facility. Yum! Brands has also acted proactively, removing fresh onions from select Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC locations out of an abundance of caution.
“We have reviewed our restaurant supply given recent announcements. There is no crossover with McDonald’s for the vast majority of our onion facilities,” a Burger King spokesperson also said.
Supplier Under Investigation
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating Taylor Farms, the supplier of the onions removed from McDonald’s menu, as a potential source of the outbreak. Taylor Farms has issued a voluntary recall for specific onion products from their Colorado facility, despite not finding E. coli in their onions. The recall affects six US Foods distribution centers in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and New Mexico.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) is also investigating the hamburger patties used in the Quarter Pounders to rule out meat as the source of contamination. This comprehensive approach underscores the complexity of tracing foodborne illness outbreaks in the modern food supply chain.
Think twice before you eat that next burger!