E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Expands, Onion Grower Investigated
The number of E. coli cases linked to McDonald’s restaurants has climbed to 90, with 27 hospitalizations and one death reported, federal officials announced Wednesday, The Associated Press reports.
The investigation has identified a “grower of interest” in Washington state, potentially connecting the outbreak to raw, slivered onions served on Quarter Pounder hamburgers.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been tracing the source of the outbreak, finding that over 80% of those affected reported consuming McDonald’s items containing the fresh, slivered onions. The FDA has since begun inspecting Taylor Farms, the California-based supplier of the onions, including its processing center in Colorado Springs and the suspected grower in Washington.
The FDA stressed that the risk of illness is now “low” as the recalled onions should no longer be available. All reported cases occurred before Taylor Farms and McDonald’s removed the affected onions from the market.
The strain of E. coli in question can cause severe diarrhea, kidney failure, and other serious complications. It is estimated to cause about 74,000 infections, 2,000 hospitalizations, and 61 deaths in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
McDonald’s, which had initially suspended Quarter Pounder sales at some locations due to the outbreak, has begun serving the popular burger again at hundreds of restaurants after testing ruled out the beef patties as the source. However, the chain continues to work with the FDA and its supplier to investigate the source of the contamination.
