A growing number of fast-food chains are removing fresh onions from their menus due to concerns about a potential E. coli contamination linked to several recent food poisoning cases, Business Insider reports.
Following McDonald’s initial response, Taco Bell, KFC, and Johnny Rockets are among the latest restaurants to pull onions from some locations as a precaution.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently confirmed that an outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has resulted in 49 cases of E. coli infections, spanning 10 states, and has tragically led to one death. In response, McDonald’s has temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder from its menus in four states—Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming—and parts of surrounding areas. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has indicated that either the slivered onions or the beef patties used in the Quarter Pounders may be the source of contamination.
Yum Brands, which owns Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC, stated on Thursday that it would pull onions from select locations as a precautionary measure. Burger King, which sources some onions from Taylor Farms—the supplier to the McDonald’s restaurants involved in the outbreak—also instructed 5% of its outlets to discard onions received from this supplier, even though the chain has not reported any related illnesses.
Similarly, Fat Brands, owner of Johnny Rockets and other restaurants, confirmed it stopped using Taylor Farms onions as a safety measure. While public health officials continue investigating the root cause of the outbreak, the CDC has advised anyone experiencing severe E. coli symptoms after consuming a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder to seek medical attention.
Foodborne illness outbreaks have presented challenges to the fast-food industry in recent years. Chipotle faced a significant E. coli crisis between 2015 and 2018, resulting in over 1,100 infections, while Wendy’s encountered a similar issue in 2022 affecting six states. With the recent McDonald’s-linked outbreak now in focus, the company has seen a 4% decline in stock value this week, as concerns mount about potential sales impacts for its Quarter Pounder.
