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McDonald’s E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions

Onions likely processed in Colorado, may have been grown in Washington.

Todd Fitchette, Associate Editor

October 31, 2024

2 Min Read
Yellow onions
Yellow onions linked to a foodborne illness outbreak from the consumption of McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers in 13 states were likely processed in Colorado and may have been grown in Washington, according to federal investigators.Todd Fitchette

Onions linked to a McDonald’s food supplier are said to be under investigation by the Centers for Disease Control after an E. coli outbreak sickened nearly 100 people in October. Investigators are apparently looking at an onion farm in Washington to determine if there is a link to the October foodborne illness outbreak.

The illnesses were linked to the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers sold in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma. As a result, McDonald’s temporarily ceased the sale of their existing supply of slivered onions and beef patties as state and federal investigators sought a cause to the illnesses.

While the CDC said on Oct. 25 that government officials did not know the source of the contamination, by Oct. 30 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had data to show that slivered onions sourced from a Taylor Farms facility in Colorado was the likely culprit of the illnesses. Diced onions used by McDonalds are apparently not linked to any illnesses, according to the FDA.

Colorado investigators say that the hamburger patties sold by McDonald’s were not linked to the foodborne illnesses after traceback investigations were made.

Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of some onions sent to food service customers, the FDA said on its website. Those customers were contacted directly to remove any remaining onions.

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In a statement from McDonald’s, the company said it removed slivered onions sourced from Taylor Farms. The CDC continues its investigation into the company’s Colorado facility.

Several media outlets carried the story of a teenager treated for kidney failure after eating multiple quarter pounder hamburgers over several days.

The FDA has guidelines for produce shippers, carriers, and others who have handled recalled food after links to a foodborne illness outbreak.

According to the CDC, E. coli symptoms are typically severe, and can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.

Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and need to be hospitalized.

For more information about E. coli, see the About Escherichia coli Infection page online.

About the Author

Todd Fitchette

Associate Editor, Western Farm Press

Todd Fitchette, associate editor with Western Farm Press, spent much of his journalism career covering agriculture in California and the western United States. Aside from reporting about issues related to farm production, environmental regulations and legislative matters, he has extensive experience covering the dairy industry, western water issues and politics. His journalistic experience includes local daily and weekly newspapers, where he was recognized early in his career as an award-winning news photographer.

Fitchette is US Army veteran and a graduate of California State University, Chico. 

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