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CDC says onions were likely the cause of the E-Coli outbreak at McDonald's as the number of cases rises to 90

CDC says onions were likely the cause of the E-Coli outbreak at McDonald's as the number of cases rises to 90

Topline

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that onion slivers served at various McDonald's locations were the likely source of a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to the restaurant chain, as the number of Cases and hospitalizations associated with the outbreak continue to grow.

Important facts

According to the CDC, epidemiological data and tracing information showed that “fresh, sliced ​​onions” served at the restaurants were the likely source of illness.

The agency also noted that the number of reported illnesses increased from 75 to 90, while the number of hospitalizations increased from 22 to 27.

No new serious cases or deaths were reported, but an earlier update from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration noted that two people had developed hemolytic uremic syndrome – a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure – and an elderly one adult from Colorado had died.

In an update Wednesday, the FDA said all 62 infected people it surveyed had eaten at McDonald's. 83% said they consumed an item containing “fresh, slivered onions,” while 79% said they ate a menu item containing “fresh quarter-pound beef patties.”

According to the agency, all 90 cases were reported between September 27 and October 16.

McDonald's confirmed the CDC's statement that onion chips were the likely cause of the outbreak and said there have been “no reported illnesses since McDonald's took action to remove onion chips.”

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Big number

13. This is the number of states where E. coli cases related to the outbreak have been reported. Colorado and Montana are the states with the most cases.

tangent

In an earnings conference call after McDonald's reported its third-quarter results on Tuesday, the company's chief financial officer, Ian Borden, responded to questions about the outbreak: “The food safety incident had an impact on the U.S. business…we've seen that shift.” .” to the fact that there have been daily negative results in sales and guest numbers since the food safety incident began.” Chris Kempczinski, CEO of McDonald's, said the company has been “uncompromising in its commitment to food safety” and noted: “The last serious public problem Health in the US linked to McDonald's occurred more than 40 years ago.” Kempczinski added that the recent E. coli outbreak was “deeply concerning” and said, “We are sorry for what our customers have experienced.” We offer our sincerest and deepest condolences and are committed to making this right.”

Important background

Earlier this week, McDonald's announced it would resume sales of its Quarter Pounder burgers after testing by Colorado authorities ruled out its beef patties as a source of E. coli. In a statement, the fast food giant said the outbreak appeared to be “confined to a specific ingredient and region” and it was confident that “all contaminated products associated with this outbreak have been removed from our supply chain.” . California-based food company Taylor Farms, which supplies the sliced ​​onions to McDonald's restaurants in the affected area, also initiated a voluntary recall of its yellow onions as the investigation continued. McDonald's said the “900 restaurants that have historically received sliced ​​onions from the Taylor Farms plant in Colorado Springs” will resume selling the Quarter Pounders without sliced ​​onions. After the outbreak was reported, other fast food chains, including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC, reportedly removed onions from their products in affected areas out of an “out of caution.”

Further reading

McDonald's will resume sales of Quarter Pounders after testing finds no E. coli in beef samples (Forbes)

Some Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC locations pull onions after E. Coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder (Forbes)

First lawsuit filed against McDonald's over E. coli outbreak (Forbes)

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