CDC: E. coli Outbreak Likely Caused by Onions at McDonald's
CDC: Onions served at McDonald's are likely the source of an E. coli outbreak.
TroibNews 
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has indicated that fresh, slivered onions used on Quarter Pounders and other McDonald's menu items are the likely source of an E. coli outbreak in the United States, as announced on Wednesday.
As of the latest CDC data, there have been 90 reported cases of E. coli infections across 13 states, including 15 new cases. Among those affected, 27 individuals were hospitalized, and one person has died.
Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and McDonald's confirmed that Taylor Farms supplied the onions for the affected restaurants, which have since recalled multiple batches of yellow onions from a facility in Colorado.
The FDA also reported that it has begun inspections at a Taylor Farms processing center in Colorado, where 29 illnesses related to the outbreak have been identified. Additionally, an onion grower in Washington state is under investigation.
Despite more cases being reported, the CDC noted these originated prior to the actions taken by McDonald's and Taylor Farms to remove the contaminated onions from their food service locations. Based on the measures implemented by both companies, the CDC believes the risk to public health is very low.
Symptoms of E. coli typically manifest between a few days and up to nine days after consuming contaminated food, according to the FDA.
The outbreak has impacted several states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, and Michigan.
McDonald's has announced plans to resume offering Quarter Pounders this week after temporarily removing the item from a fifth of its 14,000 U.S. restaurants affected by the situation.
On Tuesday, McDonald's executives downplayed any potential impact on sales due to the outbreak, with CEO Chris Kempczinski expressing apologies to customers and stating he was "confident in the safety of eating at McDonald's."
E. coli are bacteria that can be found in various environments, foods, water, and in the intestines of humans and animals. While most E. coli bacteria are harmless and part of a healthy intestinal tract, some strains can lead to serious health problems, including diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and other illnesses, as explained by the CDC.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
As of the latest CDC data, there have been 90 reported cases of E. coli infections across 13 states, including 15 new cases. Among those affected, 27 individuals were hospitalized, and one person has died.
Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and McDonald's confirmed that Taylor Farms supplied the onions for the affected restaurants, which have since recalled multiple batches of yellow onions from a facility in Colorado.
The FDA also reported that it has begun inspections at a Taylor Farms processing center in Colorado, where 29 illnesses related to the outbreak have been identified. Additionally, an onion grower in Washington state is under investigation.
Despite more cases being reported, the CDC noted these originated prior to the actions taken by McDonald's and Taylor Farms to remove the contaminated onions from their food service locations. Based on the measures implemented by both companies, the CDC believes the risk to public health is very low.
Symptoms of E. coli typically manifest between a few days and up to nine days after consuming contaminated food, according to the FDA.
The outbreak has impacted several states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, and Michigan.
McDonald's has announced plans to resume offering Quarter Pounders this week after temporarily removing the item from a fifth of its 14,000 U.S. restaurants affected by the situation.
On Tuesday, McDonald's executives downplayed any potential impact on sales due to the outbreak, with CEO Chris Kempczinski expressing apologies to customers and stating he was "confident in the safety of eating at McDonald's."
E. coli are bacteria that can be found in various environments, foods, water, and in the intestines of humans and animals. While most E. coli bacteria are harmless and part of a healthy intestinal tract, some strains can lead to serious health problems, including diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and other illnesses, as explained by the CDC.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
