Fast Food Chains Pull Onions Amid E. Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders

A serious outbreak of E. coli has been linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers, leading to the withdrawal of fresh onions from select locations of Burger King and Yum Brands. Yum Brands, with restaurants including KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, made the decision to pull back the topping from certain locations as a precautionary measure. However, the specific locations affected were not disclosed.

Yum Brands Cautiously Replaces Fresh Onions at KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell Locations

Yum Brands issued a statement to CBS News on Thursday, emphasizing their commitment to food safety. A spokesperson noted, 'We will continue following supplier and regulatory guidance to ensure the ongoing safety and quality of our food.' In a separate response, Burger King revealed that 5% of its locations received onions from a Taylor Farms Colorado facility and were instructed to dispose of them two days ago. Efforts to restock those locations from different facilities are underway.

Federal Health Authorities Confirm E. coli Outbreak

The situation unfolded when federal health officials reported an E. coli outbreak likely tied to onions used on McDonald's Quarter Pounders. This outbreak has resulted in at least 49 reported illnesses across ten states, with one fatality. McDonald's has taken steps to remove the product from approximately one-fifth of its 13,000 U.S. locations as attempts are made to determine the source of the bacteria. Investigators are working to ascertain whether the slivered onions or beef patties are responsible for the outbreak.

Geographical Impact of the Outbreak

McDonald's locations in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have temporarily halted the sale of Quarter Pounders. The federal authorities have identified California-based produce giant Taylor Farms as the supplier for the sliced onions in question. Taylor Farms conducted tests on 'raw and finished products' but reportedly found no traces of E. coli. Nevertheless, they preemptively removed yellow onions produced out of their Colorado facility from the market.

Geographical Distribution of Reported Illnesses

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that most of those affected by the outbreak reside in Colorado and Nebraska, with 26 cases in Colorado and nine in Nebraska. Of the individuals from Colorado, one older adult tragically lost their life. Additionally, health officials in Utah and Wyoming reported four illnesses each, while states including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, and Wisconsin also recorded cases.

Severity and Duration of Illnesses

At least ten individuals have been hospitalized due to the outbreak, including a child with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure. The reported illnesses commenced at the end of September, with the most recent incident occurring on October 11. It is worth noting that it typically takes three to four weeks to confirm whether a sick individual is part of an outbreak.

The symptoms associated with the toxin-producing E. coli infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Fortunately, most individuals recover without medical intervention within five to seven days. As health authorities continue to investigate the outbreak's source and spread, public health officials urge individuals to exercise caution and stay informed about any developments regarding the affected food products. The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety measures and the swift action taken by authorities to protect consumers from potential health risks.

Media Coverage of the E. coli Outbreak

For further information and updates on the ongoing E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders, Kate Gibson, a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch in New York, is covering the developments closely. Her coverage focuses on the impact of the outbreak on consumers and businesses, as well as the response from public health authorities.