CDC: E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders - is over

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html


E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders
Food safety alert
Investigation start date: October 22, 2024
Investigation status: Open
Recall issued: No

This is a fast-moving outbreak investigation. Most sick people are reporting eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers from McDonald’s and investigators are working quickly to confirm which food ingredient is contaminated. McDonald’s has pulled ingredients for these burgers, and they won’t be available for sale in some states.
Fast Facts

Cases: 49
Hospitalizations: 10
Deaths: 1
States: 10

Situation summary

CDC, FDA, USDA FSIS, and public health officials in multiple states are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Most people in this outbreak are reporting eating the Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s before becoming sick. It is not yet known which specific food ingredient is contaminated.

McDonald’s is collaborating with investigation partners to determine what food ingredient in Quarter Pounders is making people sick. McDonald’s stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states while the investigation is ongoing to identify the ingredient causing illness.
Contaminated food

McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers are making people sick, with most illnesses in Colorado and Nebraska.

Quarter Pounder hamburgers will not be available temporarily in some states.
Investigators are working to confirm which ingredient in these hamburgers is making people sick and if it went to other restaurants or stores.
McDonald's reported to CDC that it has stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states. McDonald's is proactively making these changes while investigators work to confirm the contaminated ingredient. Quarter pound beef patties are only used on Quarter Pounders. Fresh slivered onions are primarily used on Quarter Pounder hamburgers and not other menu items.

What you should do

McDonald’s has stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states to protect their customers while a source of illness is confirmed.

Call your healthcare provider if you ate a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger and have severe E. coli symptoms:

Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
Bloody diarrhea
So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
Signs of dehydration, such as:
Not peeing much
Dry mouth and throat
Feeling dizzy when standing up

Symptoms of E. coli

Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria.
Most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.
Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized.
For more information about E. coli, see the E. coli Questions and Answers page.


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[Pathfinder]

Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: McDonald’s Quarter Pounders (October 2024)

Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders served in certain states. Investigators are working to confirm the source of the outbreak.

Content current as of:10/22/2024
​...

Product


A specific ingredient has not yet been confirmed as the source of the outbreak, but most sick people report eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers. Investigators are working to determine if the slivered onions or beef patties on Quarter Pounder burgers are the likely source of contamination. McDonald’s has temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties in affected states. Diced onions and other types of beef patties used at McDonald’s have not been implicated in this outbreak.

Symptoms of E. coli

Symptoms begin anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food or up to nine days later. Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.

Stores Affected

McDonald’s stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties.

Status

Ongoing; updates will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

• Consumers who have already eaten at McDonald’s and have symptoms of E. coli infection should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care immediately.
• McDonald’s stores in affected states have temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties. Diced onions and other types of beef patties used at McDonald’s have not been implicated in this outbreak.

Current Update

October 22, 2024

The FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. A specific ingredient has not yet been confirmed as the source of the outbreak, but most sick people report eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger varieties.

Investigators are working to determine if the slivered onions or beef patties on Quarter Pounder burgers are the likely source of this outbreak.

Preliminary traceback and distribution information reviewed by FDA shows that slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders are a likely source of contamination. FDA is working quickly to confirm that these onions are a source of this outbreak and to determine if these onions were served or sold at other businesses. McDonald’s has temporarily stopped using this type of onion in these states. Diced onions used at McDonald’s are not implicated in this outbreak.

FSIS is conducting traceback on hamburger patties served at McDonald’s in affected states to determine if ground beef is a source of illness. McDonald’s has also temporarily stopped selling Quarter Pounder beef patties in affected states, while the investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak.

This advisory will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Case Count Map Provided by CDC

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Case Count

• Total Illnesses: 49
• Hospitalizations: 10
• Deaths: 1
• Last Illness Onset: October 11, 2024
• States with Cases: CO, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, OR, UT, WI, and WY

...

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-...157h7-mcdonalds-quarter-pounders-october-2024

 

[Mary Wilson]

Coloradan whose death is connected to McDonald's E. coli outbreak was from Mesa County

Updated on: October 23, 2024 / 4:25 PM MDT / CBS Colorado​
By Jesse Sarles​

The person who died in Colorado and whose death is tied to a multi-state McDonald's E. coli outbreak lived in Mesa County. That's according to Mesa County Public Health, which has not released the identity of the deceased person. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, it was a man who was in his older years.​

Colorado is the only state where a death has been reported, and it is the state with the most cases of people getting sick from E. coli food poisoning linked in McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers.

"While the specific source of contamination is still under investigation, early information from the Food and Drug Administration indicates the onions on McDonald's Quarter Pounders may be a source of this outbreak," Mesa County Public Health wrote in a news release. "Fresh-slivered onions are primarily used on Quarter Pounder hamburgers and not other menu items. USDA is also looking into the beef patties on the Quarter Pounder hamburgers."

The CDPHE says there have been 26 cases reported in nine different Colorado counties, and they are located in several different parts of the state:

Arapahoe County
Chaffee County
El Paso County
Gunnison County
Larimer County
Mesa County
Routt County
Teller County
Weld County ...

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/mesa-county-colorado-person-death-mcdonalds-ecoli-outbreak/


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[Mary Wilson]

McDonald's takes Quarter Pounder off the menu at 1 in 5 restaurants due to E. coli outbreak

​Updated on: October 23, 2024 / 4:35 PM EDT / CBS News​
By Kate Gibson​

McDonald's has stopped selling Quarter Pounder hamburgers at about one-fifth of its U.S. restaurants as federal health officials investigate an outbreak of E. coli that has sickened nearly 50 people in 10 states, killing one.

The fast-food chain sold about 1 million Quarter Pounders in the timeframe that the illnesses occurred, a McDonald's spokesperson said Wednesday. The company said it believes more people would have been sickened if the contamination stemmed from the patties themselves, adding that onions used on the burgers may be the culprit. ...

What may have caused the E. coli outbreak?

Cesar Piña, the company's North America chief supply chain officer, said in a statement on Tuesday that the company's initial investigation suggests that some of the E. coli illnesses might be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder. ...

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mcdonalds-e-coli-outbreak-quarter-pounder-onion-hamburger-states/
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[Pathfinder]

Yellow onion recall prompts Colorado restaurant chain to pull onions, day after feds link E. coli outbreak to McDonald’s

Olivia Prentzel
6:12 PM MDT on Oct 23, 2024Updated 7:44 AM MDT on Oct 24, 2024

Taylor Farms, a California-based produce grower, issued a recall for its yellow onions, a day after sliced onions were named as the possible cause of an E.coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s that has killed one person and sickened 26 people across Colorado.

It’s unclear if the recall is linked to the problems at the fast food burger chain, but the notice has prompted other businesses to pull onions from menus as a precaution, including Illegal Pete’s, a Colorado-based chain of fast-casual burrito restaurants.
...

https://coloradosun.com/2024/10/23/yellow-onion-recall-illegal-petes-colorado/

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From the PDF link provided in the article above:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM US FOODS

Calls from US Foods—Instant Recall™ will come from the following number:
1-800-919-5439
Recall Notification

Dear US Foods Customer,

This is an important communication from your food supplier, US Foods. We are contacting you about a
Recall event. US Foods has deployed the Instant Recall™ solution, an automated Recall event
notification system.

US Foods Quality Assurance received notification that TAYLOR FARMS is conducting a Recall of Onions.
The reason for the RECALL is due to potential E.coli contamination. There is a potential food safety
concern.

Our records show that affected product may have been sent to your location. It is urgent that you stop
using affected product as soon as possible.

AFFECTED PRODUCTS:
Item
Number
MPC PACK/SZ BRAND DESCRIPTION ADDITIONAL DETAILS
0125633 26373 30 LB TAYLOR
FARMS
ONION, YELLOW
JUMBO PEELED
PILLOW PACK FRESH
REF
Batch Codes: TFC278, TFC281, TFC282,
TFC283, TFC284, TFC285, TFC288,
TFC289, TFC290, TFC292
3356102 44998 4/5 LB CROSS
VALLEY
FARMS
ONION, YELLOW
DICED 3/8" PILLOW
PACK FRESH REF
Batch Codes: TFC277, TFC278, TFC281,
TFC282, TFC283, TFC284, TFC285,
TFC288, TFC289, TFC291, TFC292
7034911 5 LB TAYLOR
FARMS
ONION, YELLOW
DICED FRESH REF
Batch Codes: TFC278, TFC281, TFC283,
TFC285, TFC288, TFC290, TFC292
2640667 6/5 LB TAYLOR
FARMS
ONION, YELLOW
WHOLE PEELED
FRESH REF
Batch Codes: TFC278, TFC281, TFC282,
TFC283, TFC284, TFC285, TFC288,
TFC289, TFC290,TFC291, TFC292
...

https://newspack-coloradosun.s3.ama...-TAYLOR-FARMS-Recall-of-Onions-2024_10_22.pdf

 

[Pathfinder]

Published October 23, 2024 4:58pm EDT

McDonald's says beef unlikely but not ruled out as potential source of E. coli outbreak
...
By Breck Dumas FOXBusiness
...
McDonald's North America chief supply chain officer Cesar Piña said in an internal statement following the CDC's announcement that the company is "taking swift and decisive action" to address the outbreak, and reported, "The initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers."
...
McDonald's spokespeople said Wednesday that the CDC informed the company of the outbreak last week, and the company is working with the agencies involved to determine whether beef or onions — the two ingredients in the sandwich that could be carriers for E. coli — are the cause.
...
But if beef is the source, it would mean multiple McDonald's restaurants did not cook the patties to the standard 175 degrees required by the chain, given that E. coli is killed at 160 degrees.

McDonald's is also looking closely at the fresh slivered onions used as a topping because they are a raw ingredient that came from a single source. However, if the onions are determined to be the cause, it would be the first time onions have been the source of an outbreak of this particular strain of E. coli — E. coli O157:H7.
...

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/mcdonalds-beef-not-ruled-out-potential-source-e-coli-outbreak

 

[Pathfinder]

Fast-food chains hold the onions after McDonald's E. coli outbreak

By Brad Brooks
October 25, 2024 4:09 AM CST Updated 4 hours ago​
...
LONGMONT, Colorado, Oct 24 (Reuters) - U.S. fast-food chains were pulling fresh onions out of their menu items on Thursday after the vegetable was named as the likely source of an E. coli outbreak at McDonald's (MCD.N), opens new tab restaurants that has sickened 49 people and killed one.

Restaurant Brands International (QSR.TO), opens new tab, parent of McDonald's rival Burger King, and Yum Brands (YUM.N), opens new tab said they were removing fresh onions from menu items. Roughly 5% of Burger King locations have removed onions from the menu, a Burger King spokesperson said in a statement.

McDonald's said on Thursday that Taylor Farms was the supplier of the sliced onions that have been removed. Taylor Farms did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has recalled several batches of yellow onions produced in a Colorado facility, according to a recall memo on Wednesday by US Foods (USFD.N), opens new tab, one of the largest U.S. suppliers of food service operations.

About 5% of Burger King stores also get supplies from Taylor Farms, but a company spokesperson said Burger King has not been contacted yet from health authorities or had any illnesses. Yum, which operates KFC, Pizza Hut and the Taco Bell chains, said it was removing onions "out of an abundance of caution."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday also confirmed that Taylor Farms was the supplier for the affected McDonald's locations and that the company has initiated a voluntary recall.
...
https://www.reuters.com/business/re...scrutiny-after-us-e-coli-outbreak-2024-10-24/
NEWS​
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[Pathfinder]

Investigation Update: E. coli Outbreak, McDonald's Quarter Pounders - October 22, 2024

KEY POINTS
This is a fast-moving outbreak investigation. Most sick people are reporting eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers from McDonald’s and investigators are working quickly to confirm which food ingredient is contaminated. McDonald’s has pulled ingredients for these burgers, and they won’t be available for sale in some states.

Notice Locations Timeline

October 25, 2024

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections.

Epidemiologic data show that Quarter Pounder hamburgers served at McDonald’s are contaminated with E. coli and are making people sick. Early information from FDA indicates onions may be a source of this outbreak. Investigators from all agencies are working quickly to determine the contaminated ingredient.

Epidemiologic data

As of October 24, 75 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 13 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from Sept 27, 2024, to October 10, 2024. Of 61 people with information available, 22 have been hospitalized, and 2 people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death has been reported from an older adult in Colorado. This person is not one of those who developed HUS.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.

The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak (“n” is the number of people with information available for each demographic).

Demographics Information

Age
(n=74)
Range from 13 to 88 years
Median age of 29

Sex
(n=75)
40% female
60% male

Race
(n=59)
95% White
3% African American/Black
0% Native American or Alaska Native
0% Asian
0% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
2% reported more than one race

Ethnicity
(n=55)
91% non-Hispanic
9% Hispanic

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 42 people interviewed, all 42 (100%) report eating at McDonald's, and 39 people report eating a beef hamburger. Of 36 people who remember the specific beef hamburger they ate at McDonald's, 31 (86%) report eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger. Some people in this outbreak reported traveling to other states before their illness started. At least three people ate at McDonald's during their travel.

Traceback Information

Investigators are working to determine if the slivered onions or beef patties in Quarter Pounder burgers are the specific source of this outbreak.

Preliminary traceback and distribution information reviewed by FDA shows that slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders are a likely source of contamination. FDA is working quickly to confirm that these onions are a source of this outbreak and to determine if these onions were served or sold at other businesses.

Taylor Farms, the supplier of slivered onions for affected McDonald’s locations initiated a recall of yellow onions. Customers were contacted directly and asked to remove products. FDA is working closely with the implicated firms and will continue to provide updates including any additional recalls that might be needed for businesses who received recalled onions.

FSIS is conducting traceback on hamburger patties served at McDonald’s to determine if ground beef is a source of illness.

Public health actions

McDonalds has stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states to protect their customers while a source of illness is confirmed. Quarter Pounders will not be available for sale temporarily in some states. Call your healthcare provider if you ate a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger and have severe E. coli symptoms.
​
...
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/investigation-update-e-coli-o157-2024.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Beef Patties Test Negative for E. Coli at CDA Lab

Sunday, October 27, 2024

On Tuesday, October 22, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) laboratories received multiple lots of McDonald’s brand fresh and frozen beef patties collected from various Colorado McDonald’s locations associated with the ongoing E. Coli investigation.

The CDA Microbiology Laboratory analyzed dozens of subsamples from all the lots and all samples were found to be negative for E. coli. CDA has completed all beef testing and does not anticipate receiving further samples.

The federal investigation has focused on ground beef patties and onions. At this time, CDA also has no information suggesting onions grown in Colorado are linked to this outbreak.

The FDA is leading the traceback investigation of onions for this outbreak. For more information, please contact the FDA Office of Media Affairs at FDAOMA@FDA.HHS.GOV. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the lead agency for meat in the U.S. and can be reached at FSISPress@usda.gov. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is the lead Colorado agency on this incident response in Colorado. To reach CDPHE, please email hope.shuler@state.co.us.

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Las hamburguesas de carne de res dieron negativo en la prueba de E. coli en el laboratorio del CDA


El martes 22 de octubre, los laboratorios del Departamento de Agricultura de Colorado (CDA) recibieron varios lotes de hamburguesas de carne fresca y congelada de la marca McDonald's recolectadas de varias ubicaciones de McDonald's de Colorado asociadas con la investigación en curso sobre E. coli.

El Laboratorio de Microbiología del CDA analizó docenas de submuestras de todos los lotes y se encontró que todas las muestras dieron negativo para E. coli. El CDA ha completado todas las pruebas de carne y no prevé recibir más muestras.

La investigación federal se ha centrado en las hamburguesas de carne molida y las cebollas. En este momento, el CDA tampoco tiene información que sugiera que las cebollas cultivadas en Colorado estén vinculadas a este brote.

La FDA está liderando la investigación de rastreo de cebollas para este brote. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con la Oficina de Asuntos de Prensa de la FDA en FDAOMA@FDA.HHS.GOV. USDA-APHIS es la agencia líder en materia de carne en los EE. UU. y se puede contactar en aphispress@usda.gov. El Departamento de Salud Pública y Medio Ambiente de Colorado es la agencia líder de Colorado en la respuesta a este incidente en Colorado. Para comunicarse con CDPHE, envíe un correo electrónico a hope.shuler@state.co.us.​


https://ag.colorado.gov/press-release/beef-patties-test-negative-for-e-coli-at-cda-lab
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McDonald’s statement:

Always Putting Food Safety First


October 27, 2024



The health and safety of our people and customers is our top priority at McDonald's. Please see this page for the latest updates on this matter.



UPDATE: October 27, 2024

McDonald's North America Chief Supply Chain Officer Cesar Piña shared the following internal message.

Dear McDonald’s USA,  

Our commitment to food safety isn’t the responsibility of any one person, team, department, or leg of the stool.

Our commitment to food safety is everyone’s primary responsibility, and this week we’ve been reminded why.

First, I want to thank once again the health authorities with whom we’ve been partnering. They can count on McDonald’s continued close partnership in their vital work, now and well into the future.

As someone who has worked in food safety for two decades, it has been meaningful to see the strong partnership between McDonald’s and public health officials, including CDC, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Colorado Department of Agriculture, USDA, FSIS, and FDA. 

It was especially important to all of us—across the entire System—when CDC noted that our proactive steps resulted in the risk to the public being “very low.”

This was also a reminder of how our values must guide us every single day: we put people first, and we do the right thing.

The issue appears to be contained to a particular ingredient and geography, and we remain very confident that any contaminated product related to this outbreak has been removed from our supply chain and is out of all McDonald’s restaurants.

That said, health officials have noted that with increased awareness, more people will seek medical attention and case counts will grow. This awareness is a good thing, as it can lead to people being vigilant and connecting with medical professionals.

As the CDC has shared, symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after consuming contaminated food, and most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days. That said, it can take 3-4 weeks for public health agencies to confirm if an ill person is part of the outbreak. 

While we understand that slivered onions from this facility were distributed well beyond McDonald’s System to other quick service restaurants and food service providers, public health agencies’ interviews at this stage will likely focus on patients who note visiting McDonald’s. This could also account for more cases being linked to McDonald’s.

We are committed to making this right for any customers who have eaten at McDonald’s and suffered an illness as a result of the outbreak.

As Joe shared last week, we will continue to be guided by our principles while managing this situation and earning our customers’ trust:

• Continue to do the right thing

• Partner closely with health authorities and let science lead our decision making

• Take swift and decisive action

• Deploy the full breadth of our resources

• Continue to communicate quickly and transparently

With that, there are a few important updates that we’d like to share.

• Over the weekend, McDonald’s was informed that the Colorado Department of Agriculture has completed their testing, the results of which confirm that there was no detection of E. coli in the samples taken of Quarter Pounder beef patties from restaurants in this area. We’ve been informed there is no further testing planned for beef patties.  

• Overlaying the CDC's Epidemiological data with our Supply Chain traceback data, we have ruled out Quarter Pounder patties as the source.

• Last week, out of an abundance of caution, we stopped distributing Quarter Pounder beef patties to the impacted area. Based on the above information, we are now confident in asking our beef suppliers to produce a new supply of fresh beef patties for the impacted areas. We will resume distribution of that fresh supply and the Quarter Pounder is expected to be available in all restaurants in the coming week. This will be on a rolling basis based on delivery and resupply operations. 

• The 900 restaurants that historically received slivered onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility will resume sales of Quarter Pounders without slivered onions. Those restaurants are in Colorado, Kansas, and Wyoming, as well as portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Utah.

• A brief FAQ document is available here and for more information on McDonald’s Food Safety see here. 

The FDA is continuing its investigation into Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility. As a reminder, McDonald’s removed slivered onions from this facility from our supply chain on October 22 and shared that we had decided to stop sourcing onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility indefinitely. Over the past few days, you’ve likely seen that additional food service providers and restaurant brands that received onions from this facility have moved to stop selling and/or recall onions.

I want to thank all of you for your support, for your efforts to promote public health, and for upholding our core values.

Cesar Piña
SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer, North America
​
...
https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-stories/article/always-putting-food-safety-first.html

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/investigation-update-e-coli-o157-2024.html


Investigation Update: E. coli Outbreak, Onions Served at McDonald's - October 30, 2024
Key points

Epidemiologic and traceback data show that fresh, slivered onions served at McDonald’s are the likely source of this outbreak. Onions were pulled from affected McDonald’s locations and Taylor Farms recalled yellow slivered onions sent to other food service operators.​

October 30, 2024

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7infections.

Epidemiologic and traceback data show that fresh, slivered onions served at McDonald's were the likely source of this outbreak.
Epidemiologic data

As of October 30, 90 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 13 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from Sept 27, 2024, to October 16, 2024. Of 83 people with information available, 27 have been hospitalized,and 2 people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death has been reported from an older adult in Colorado. This person is not one of those who developed HUS.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.

The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic)....

​

 

[Pathfinder]

Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Onions (October 2024)

FDA’s investigation and sample analysis are ongoing.
...
Spanish (Español)

Product


Slivered onions previously served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers are the likely source of contamination, based on epidemiologic and traceback data. On October 22, 2024, Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of yellow onions sent to McDonald’s and other food service customers. Food service customers who were impacted have been contacted directly. McDonald’s stopped using recalled onions from Taylor Farms at McDonald‘s stores in affected states.

Symptoms of E. coli


Symptoms begin anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food or up to nine days later. Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.

Stores Affected


McDonald’s stores in CO, KS, and WY, and portions of IA, ID, MO, MT, NE, NM, NV, OK, and UT temporarily stopped using slivered onions. McDonald’s has reintroduced slivered onions from a different onion supplier in stores where it temporarily stopped using slivered onions.

Recalled onions were also directly distributed to food service customers in CO, IA, ID, KS, MO, MT, NE, NM, NV, OK, UT, and WY.

At this time, FDA is not aware of any cases or affected product outside of the United States.

Status


Ongoing; updates will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

• Food service customers should not sell or serve Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions and should follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice and use extra care in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with recalled product to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Customers should also ensure that they did not freeze recalled onions or foods containing recalled onions.
• According to available information, it is unlikely that recalled yellow onions were sold to grocery stores or directly to consumers.

Current Update

November 13, 2024

FDA, CDC, and state partners continue investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to slivered onions served on Quarter Pounder burgers at McDonald’s restaurants in certain states. As of November 13, 2024, 104 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 14 states. Of 98 people with information available, 34 have been hospitalized, and 4 people developed HUS, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death has been reported from an older adult in Colorado. This person is not one of those who developed HUS. Of the 81 people interviewed, 80 (99%) report eating at McDonald's. Seventy-five people were able to remember specific menu items they ate at McDonald's. 63 of 75 people (84%) reported a menu item containing fresh slivered onions.

FDA, Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) have collected onion and environmental samples from McDonald’s stores, distribution centers, and firms of interest for laboratory analysis. At this time, one FDA sample of recalled onions has tested positive for E. coli, but it is a non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and does not match the outbreak strain or any other clinical illnesses. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis determined that the sample is positive for E. coli O168:H8 and contains the Shiga toxin gene stx2a. Additional sample results are pending. More information will be provided in this update as it becomes available.

FDA has completed onsite inspections at a Taylor Farms processing center in Colorado and an onion grower of interest in Washington state.

McDonald’s stopped using slivered onions on Quarter Pounder burgers in affected states, and Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions on October 22, 2024. Food service customers were notified by Taylor Farms that they should not sell or serve recalled yellow onions. FDA continues working with Taylor Farms and their direct customers to determine if additional downstream customer recalls are necessary. Food service customers should not be further distributing recalled onions. According to available information, recalled onions should not be available for purchase in grocery stores. McDonald’s has reintroduced slivered onions from a different onion supplier into their full menu. At this time, there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants.

Case Count

Map Provided by CDC

Map of U.S. Distribution of Recalled Taylor Farms Yellow Onions


Distribution has been confirmed for states shown below, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states.

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Case Count

• Total Illnesses: 104
• Hospitalizations: 34
• Deaths: 1
• Last Illness Onset: October 21, 2024
• States with Cases: CO, IA, KS, MI, MO, MT, NE, NM, NC, OR, UT, WA, WI, and WY
• Recalled Onion Distribution*: CO, IA, ID, KS, MO, MT, NE, NM, NV, OK, UT, and WY

*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states.
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https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-...i-o157h7-onions-october-2024?randparam=796496

 

[Pathfinder]

December 3, 2024

Investigation Update: E. coli Outbreak, Onions Served at McDonald's - November 13, 2024

Key points


This outbreak is over. Learn what you can do to protect yourself from getting sick from E. coli.

NoticeLocationsTimeline

December 3, 2024


CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) collected different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7infections.

Epidemiologic and traceback data showed that fresh, slivered onions served at McDonald's were the likely source of this outbreak. Epidemiologic data

A total of 104 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 were reported from 14 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from September 12,2024, to October 21, 2024. Of 98 people with information available, 34 were hospitalized, and4 people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death was reported from an older adult in Colorado. This person was not one of those who developed HUS.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli.

Public health officials collected many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provided clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.

The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).

Demographics
Information

Age
(n=104)
Range from 1 to 88 years
Median age of 28

Sex
(n=104)
40% female
60% male

Race
(n=96)
95% White
2% African American/Black
1% Native American or Alaska Native
0% Asian
0% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
2% reported more than one race

Ethnicity
(n=93)
89% non-Hispanic
11% Hispanic

State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 81 people interviewed, 80 (99%) reported eating at McDonald's. Seventy-five people were able to remember specific menu items they ate at McDonald's, of which 63 (84%) reported a menu item containing fresh, slivered onions.

Some people in this outbreak reported traveling to other states before their illness started. At least seven people ate at McDonald's during their travel.

Laboratory information


Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).

WGS showed that bacteria from sick people's samples were closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.

WGS analysis of bacteria from 94 people's samples predicted resistance to chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site. These findings do not affect treatment guidance since antibiotics are not recommended for patients with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections.

FDA tested recalled onions and one environmental sample from a grower. Both of these samples tested positive for non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli. The E. coli found was not the outbreak strain and no human illnesses were found related to the strain. Additional samples from this investigation were negative for E. coli.
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https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/investigation-update-e-coli-o157-2024.html