As Health Officials Hunt Cause of E. coli Cases at McDonald’s, Fast Food Chains and Suppliers Hold the Onions
Food Companies and Restaurant Chains Stop Using Onions as Authorities Investigate Potential Source of Outbreak
Food companies and restaurant chains stopped using onions Thursday as authorities tried to pinpoint the source of a potentially fatal E. coli outbreak among people who ate McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers.
The Possible Cause: Slivered Onions on Quarter Pounders
Public health officials said slivered onions on Quarter Pounders consumed mostly in Mountain West states are a possible cause of the infections. Most of the 49 listed cases come from Colorado, where one victim died.
Suppliers’ Role in the Outbreak
Taylor Farms, based in Salinas, California, provided the slivered onions on Quarter Pounders involved in the spread of E. coli, Chicago-based McDonald’s said. As a result, fast food competitors such as Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Burger King pulled onions from some menus as a precaution.
US Foods Holding’s Response
Rosemont-based US Foods Holding, a large supplier to restaurants and food service operators, said it was asking customers not to use onions supplied by Taylor Farms Colorado. US Foods’ spokeswoman Sara Matheu said the company responded to Taylor Farms’ own recall of its onion products, stating, "We take food safety very seriously, and as aligned with our rigorous recall process, we are contacting impacted US Foods customers with appropriate recall instructions."
Investigation Ongoing
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating Taylor Farms as a source of the outbreak, but the agency declined to confirm this in a statement, saying only that it "is still looking at all possible sources."
Impact on McDonald’s Stock
Word of the infections caused some investors to dump McDonald’s stock on concerns that people will avoid its food. However, the company’s stock recovered somewhat on Thursday as analysts speculated the effect on the company will pass quickly. Morningstar analyst Sean Dunlop called the market’s reaction "slightly overstated, leaving shares trading in a range we consider fairly priced."
First Lawsuit Filed
The first lawsuit against McDonald’s over E. coli was filed on Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court. Eric Stelly, a resident of Greeley, Colorado, is suing for damages because he was diagnosed with an E. coli illness on October 6, two days after eating at McDonald’s.
Conclusion
As health officials continue to investigate the source of the E. coli outbreak, it is clear that the onions supplied by Taylor Farms are a key suspect. McDonald’s, as well as its competitors, have taken steps to remove the implicated onions from their menus, and US Foods has issued a recall of its onion products. While the investigation is ongoing, it is crucial for companies to prioritize food safety and transparency to maintain consumer trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the suspected source of the E. coli outbreak?
A: The suspected source of the E. coli outbreak is the slivered onions on Quarter Pounders supplied by Taylor Farms.
Q: How many cases have been reported?
A: As of now, 49 cases have been reported.
Q: How many have been hospitalized?
A: Ten people have been hospitalized out of the 49 reported cases.
Q: Is the E. coli outbreak limited to McDonald’s customers?
A: No, while most cases are linked to McDonald’s, some have been reported from other fast food chains that also use the same supplier.
