McDonald's points to onions as source of E coli outbreak

McDonald's on Thursday identified sliced onions as the likely cause of the E. coli outbreak in its Quarter Pounder hamburgers, and cited Taylor Farms as the supplier of the onions. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the outbreak on Tuesday, which has impacted 10 states, and resulted in the death of at least one older adult, and the hospitalizations of at least 10 individuals. A total of 49 people have been infected so far.

Taylor Farms issued a recall on four raw onion products out of an abundance of caution on Wednesday, because of "potential E. coli contamination." A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official said the FDA is looking into Taylor Farms as the possible source, NBC News reported.

Some fast food chains in Colorado, where the highest amount of cases have occurred, have also pulled onions from their menus because of the recall, including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC, but no new cases have emerged at those restaurants. 

McDonald is already facing lawsuits over the outbreak. Food safety law firm Ron Simon & Associates said it is representing 15 families that have claimed to be affected by the O157:H7 E. coli outbreak. 

One client said she purchased a Quarter Pounder from a McDonald's in Nebraska on Sept. 18. She was forced to seek medical care a couple days later and tested positive for the E. coli strain.

Severe symptoms of E. Coli include fevers of above 102 degrees Fahrenheit and signs of dehydration, such as feeling dizzy when standing, dry mouth and throat, and reduced urination. If people have these symptoms and recently ate a McDonald's Quarter Pounder in Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, or Wyoming, they should report the symptoms to their healthcare provider.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.