"On October 22, 2024, Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions that were supplied to McDonald’s and other food service customers. FDA is working with Taylor Farms and their direct customers to determine if additional downstream customer recalls are necessary. According to available information, it is unlikely that recalled yellow onions were sold to grocery stores or directly to consumers. Food service customers who received recalled onions were contacted and should no longer be using or serving recalled onions. These customers should also ensure that they did not freeze recalled onions or foods containing recalled onions."
Cases: 90 (15 new)
Hospitalizations: 27 (5 new)
Deaths: 1 (0 new)
States: 13 (0 new)
FDA
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-onions-october-2024
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Onions (October 2024)
FDA is investigating slivered onions served at McDonald’s as the likely source of this outbreak. Onions have been recalled and are no longer being used.
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Onions (October 2024)
FDA is investigating slivered onions served at McDonald’s as the likely source of this outbreak. Onions have been recalled and are no longer being used.
Product
Slivered onions previously served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers are the likely source of contamination, based on epidemiologic and traceback data. McDonald’s is no longer using slivered onions on Quarter Pounders at stores in affected states. Diced onions used at McDonald’s have not been implicated in this outbreak. On October 22, 2024, Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of some onions sent to food service customers. Food service customers who were impacted have been contacted directly.
Current Update
October 30, 2024
FDA continues working with CDC, USDA FSIS, state partners, and involved firms to investigate an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to onions. Epidemiologic and traceback data show that slivered onions served at affected McDonald’s locations are the likely source of this outbreak.
As of October 30, 90 people from 13 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7. 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 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. More illnesses have been reported but they are from before McDonald’s and Taylor Farms took action to remove slivered onions from food service locations.
Of the 62 people interviewed, all 62 (100%) report eating at McDonald's. Forty-eight of 58 people (83%) reported a menu item containing fresh, slivered onions. Forty-six of 58 people (79%) reported a menu item made with fresh quarter pound beef patties. Overall, three people reported menu items that contained fresh, slivered onions, but not fresh quarter pound beef patties. One person reported a menu item with a fresh quarter pound beef patty but without fresh, slivered onions.
FSIS has conducted a thorough investigation in response to this outbreak, including traceback of beef patties served on Quarter Pounders at McDonald’s, and evidence does not point to ground beef as the likely source of contamination. FSIS used specific meal information reported by ill people to trace beef patties through the supply chain to the establishment where they were produced and did not identify a beef source. Testing on beef patties by the Colorado Department of Agriculture is complete and all samples were found to be negative for E. coli. FSIS will continue to work closely with federal and state partners.
On October 22, 2024, Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions that were supplied to McDonald’s and other food service customers. FDA is working with Taylor Farms and their direct customers to determine if additional downstream customer recalls are necessary. According to available information, it is unlikely that recalled yellow onions were sold to grocery stores or directly to consumers. Food service customers who received recalled onions were contacted and should no longer be using or serving recalled onions. These customers should also ensure that they did not freeze recalled onions or foods containing recalled onions.
In addition, FDA has initiated inspections at a Taylor Farms processing center in Colorado and an onion grower of interest in Washington state. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
McDonald’s continues to not use slivered onions in impacted states. The current risk of illness from E. coli contamination is low because onions have been recalled and should no longer be available.
CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html
Investigation Update: E. coli Outbreak, Onions Served at McDonald's - October 30, 2024
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.
Slivered onions previously served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers are the likely source of contamination, based on epidemiologic and traceback data. McDonald’s is no longer using slivered onions on Quarter Pounders at stores in affected states. Diced onions used at McDonald’s have not been implicated in this outbreak. On October 22, 2024, Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of some onions sent to food service customers. Food service customers who were impacted have been contacted directly.
Current Update
October 30, 2024
FDA continues working with CDC, USDA FSIS, state partners, and involved firms to investigate an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to onions. Epidemiologic and traceback data show that slivered onions served at affected McDonald’s locations are the likely source of this outbreak.
As of October 30, 90 people from 13 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7. 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 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. More illnesses have been reported but they are from before McDonald’s and Taylor Farms took action to remove slivered onions from food service locations.
Of the 62 people interviewed, all 62 (100%) report eating at McDonald's. Forty-eight of 58 people (83%) reported a menu item containing fresh, slivered onions. Forty-six of 58 people (79%) reported a menu item made with fresh quarter pound beef patties. Overall, three people reported menu items that contained fresh, slivered onions, but not fresh quarter pound beef patties. One person reported a menu item with a fresh quarter pound beef patty but without fresh, slivered onions.
FSIS has conducted a thorough investigation in response to this outbreak, including traceback of beef patties served on Quarter Pounders at McDonald’s, and evidence does not point to ground beef as the likely source of contamination. FSIS used specific meal information reported by ill people to trace beef patties through the supply chain to the establishment where they were produced and did not identify a beef source. Testing on beef patties by the Colorado Department of Agriculture is complete and all samples were found to be negative for E. coli. FSIS will continue to work closely with federal and state partners.
On October 22, 2024, Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions that were supplied to McDonald’s and other food service customers. FDA is working with Taylor Farms and their direct customers to determine if additional downstream customer recalls are necessary. According to available information, it is unlikely that recalled yellow onions were sold to grocery stores or directly to consumers. Food service customers who received recalled onions were contacted and should no longer be using or serving recalled onions. These customers should also ensure that they did not freeze recalled onions or foods containing recalled onions.
In addition, FDA has initiated inspections at a Taylor Farms processing center in Colorado and an onion grower of interest in Washington state. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
McDonald’s continues to not use slivered onions in impacted states. The current risk of illness from E. coli contamination is low because onions have been recalled and should no longer be available.
CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html
Investigation Update: E. coli Outbreak, Onions Served at McDonald's - October 30, 2024
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).
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=90) Range from 13 to 88 years Median age of 30
Sex (n=90) 41% female 59% male
Race (n=82) 96% White 3% African American/Black 0% Native American or Alaska Native 0% Asian 0% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 1% reported more than one race
Ethnicity (n=79) 92% non-Hispanic 8% Hispanic
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 62 people interviewed, all 62 (100%) report eating at McDonald's. Fifty-eight people were able to remember specific menu items they ate at McDonald's. Forty-eight of 58 people (83%) reported a menu item containing fresh, slivered onions. Forty-six of 58 people (79%) reported a menu item made with fresh quarter pound beef patties. Overall, three people reported menu items that contained fresh, slivered onions, but not fresh quarter pound beef patties. One person reported a menu item with a fresh quarter pound beef patty but without fresh, slivered onions
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 and laboratory data
FDA has initiated inspections at a Taylor Farms processing center in Colorado and an onion grower of interest in Washington state. FDA is unable to implicate a grower at this time.
On October 22, Taylor Farms, the supplier of slivered onions for affected McDonald's locations, initiated a recall of yellow onions. Customers were contacted directly by Taylor Farms 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.
On October 22, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) laboratories analyzed subsamples from all the lots of McDonald's brand fresh and frozen beef patties collected from various McDonald's locations in Colorado and found them to be negative for E. coli. All beef testing has been completed.
FSIS has conducted a thorough investigation, including traceback of beef patties served on Quarter Pounders at McDonald's, and evidence does not point to ground beef as the likely source of contamination. FSIS used specific meal information reported by ill people to trace beef patties through the supply chain to the establishments where they were produced and did not identify a beef source. FSIS will continue to work closely with federal and state partners.
Public health actions
Because onions have been recalled, it is not necessary to avoid eating onions or other foods made with onions. Call your healthcare provider if you have severe E. coli symptoms.
Information
Age (n=90) Range from 13 to 88 years Median age of 30
Sex (n=90) 41% female 59% male
Race (n=82) 96% White 3% African American/Black 0% Native American or Alaska Native 0% Asian 0% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 1% reported more than one race
Ethnicity (n=79) 92% non-Hispanic 8% Hispanic
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 62 people interviewed, all 62 (100%) report eating at McDonald's. Fifty-eight people were able to remember specific menu items they ate at McDonald's. Forty-eight of 58 people (83%) reported a menu item containing fresh, slivered onions. Forty-six of 58 people (79%) reported a menu item made with fresh quarter pound beef patties. Overall, three people reported menu items that contained fresh, slivered onions, but not fresh quarter pound beef patties. One person reported a menu item with a fresh quarter pound beef patty but without fresh, slivered onions
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 and laboratory data
FDA has initiated inspections at a Taylor Farms processing center in Colorado and an onion grower of interest in Washington state. FDA is unable to implicate a grower at this time.
On October 22, Taylor Farms, the supplier of slivered onions for affected McDonald's locations, initiated a recall of yellow onions. Customers were contacted directly by Taylor Farms 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.
On October 22, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) laboratories analyzed subsamples from all the lots of McDonald's brand fresh and frozen beef patties collected from various McDonald's locations in Colorado and found them to be negative for E. coli. All beef testing has been completed.
FSIS has conducted a thorough investigation, including traceback of beef patties served on Quarter Pounders at McDonald's, and evidence does not point to ground beef as the likely source of contamination. FSIS used specific meal information reported by ill people to trace beef patties through the supply chain to the establishments where they were produced and did not identify a beef source. FSIS will continue to work closely with federal and state partners.
Public health actions
Because onions have been recalled, it is not necessary to avoid eating onions or other foods made with onions. Call your healthcare provider if you have severe E. coli symptoms.
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