A person died in Colorado due to an E. coli poisoning outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers. Following initial investigations, the FDA indicated that raw sliced onions could be the probable source of contamination in this case.
McDonald's reported that the beef patties of the hamburgers were not the cause of the E. coli outbreak that resulted in one death and sickened 75 others in 13 U.S. states. The company mentioned that the sliced onions supplied by a supplier in Colorado could be behind the contamination.
The company withdrew the sliced onions from the Colorado Springs facilities from approximately 900 restaurants, including some in airports. Following this, McDonald's decided to indefinitely stop purchasing products from Taylor Farms in Colorado Springs.
McDonald's restaurants that received sliced onions from these facilities will return to selling the Quarter Pounder without onions. For its part, tests ruled out that the beef patties were the source of the outbreak, so the Colorado Department of Agriculture will resume the sale of hamburgers in affected restaurants without onions.
The E. coli poisoning outbreak has affected at least 75 people in 13 states, with most cases reported in Colorado. Taylor Farms, the supplier of the fresh onions, has recalled its products as a precaution and is cooperating with health authorities in the investigation.
So far, 22 people have been hospitalized in relation to this outbreak, and two developed kidney complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). McDonald's has confirmed that the involved onions came from the Colorado Springs facilities and that they have suspended their purchase of products from Taylor Farms indefinitely.
