US-based foodservice supplier Taylor Farms has initiated a voluntary recall of specific yellow onions supplied to fast-food chains due to an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak associated with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers. This recall emphasizes the food and beverage industry’s commitment to consumer safety.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating the potential link between the onions used in Quarter Pounder burgers and the reported outbreak. Taylor Farms has been responsible for supplying these onions from its facility in Colorado Springs to various restaurants, including McDonald’s.
As of October 24, the outbreak has tragically resulted in one fatality and approximately 75 confirmed cases across 13 states, according to the FDA. On October 22, McDonald’s preemptively removed the onions from the beef patties in Quarter Pounders at affected locations within Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Notably, the Colorado Department of Agriculture has confirmed that tests conducted on beef patty samples from McDonald’s locations in Colorado returned negative for E. coli, adding a layer of reassurance for consumers.
In light of the ongoing investigation, McDonald’s has made the decision to stop sourcing onions from the Colorado facility of Taylor Farms “indefinitely.” McDonald’s North America Chief Supply Chain Officer, Cesar Piña, stated, “Over the weekend, McDonald’s was informed that the Colorado Department of Agriculture has completed their testing, the results of which confirm that there was no detection of E. coli in the samples taken of Quarter Pounder beef patties from restaurants in this area. We’ve been informed there is no further testing planned for beef patties.”
Furthermore, McDonald’s has ruled out Quarter Pounder patties as the outbreak source by correlating data from the CDC with its supply chain traceback information. In a statement dated October 27, McDonald’s expressed its intention to progressively resume Quarter Pounder sales in all restaurants, contingent upon delivery and resupply operations over the coming week.
While McDonald’s plans to resume serving Quarter Pounders—now without onions—approximately 900 restaurants that previously received sliced onions from the Colorado Springs facility will be impacted.
Simultaneously, Yum Brands has taken precautionary measures by removing onions from selected Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut outlets in response to the outbreak. A Yum Brands spokesperson commented, “As we continue to monitor the recently reported E. coli outbreak, and out of an abundance of caution, we have proactively removed fresh onions from select Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC restaurants. We will continue following supplier and regulatory guidance to ensure the ongoing safety and quality of our food.”
In an unrelated recall, TreeHouse Foods, a private-label supplier based in the U.S., has expanded a recall of frozen waffle products to include all items manufactured at its facility in Ontario, Canada, due to potential listeria contamination.
As the food and drink business navigates these challenges, staying informed about food and drink consumer trends is essential for maintaining safety and quality within the industry.