Key Takeaways:
– Fresh onions from a California-based company linked to an E. Coli outbreak in McDonald’s.
– Other fast-food chains, including Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Burger King, have removed onions from their offerings.
– At least 49 people have fallen ill from the E. Coli outbreak, and there has been one casualty.
– The produce company, Taylor Farms, has also issued a recall for peeled whole and diced yellow onions due to potential E. Coli contamination.
E. Coli Outbreak and its Impact on Fast Food Chains
Fast food chain McDonald’s linked a recent E. Coli outbreak to onions provided by Taylor Farms, a produce company based in Salinas, California. As a ripple effect, other prominent fast-food brands, including Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, also stopped using onions in their menu temporarily as a precautionary measure.
Taylor Farms sent the onions to a distribution facility, leading McDonald’s to withdraw the Quarter Pounder hamburgers from its outlets. However, McDonald’s didn’t disclose the particular facility’s name. The incident has resulted in at least 49 people contracting E. Coli across 10 states, with one fatal case reported.
Investigations and Recalls in the Wake of Outbreak
The probe has led the authorities to consider the slivered onions as a potential source of E. Coli. The company has received attention earlier this week as well, when Taylor Farms issued a recall for peeled whole and diced yellow onions due to the same potential contamination. The recalled items originated from a Taylor Farms facility in Colorado, as notified by a spokesperson from U.S. Foods, a wholesaler supplying restaurants nationwide. It is essential to mention that U.S. Foods is not a supplier for McDonald’s and the items recalled don’t form part of the fast-food brand’s menu.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, refused to specify whether it is investigating Taylor Farms. An FDA spokesperson said the agency is looking at all sources, indicating a broader investigation into the outbreak.
Other Restaurant Chains Stepping Up Safety Measures
National chains halted the use of fresh onions in response to the reported E. Coli outbreak. Many restaurants under Yum Brands’ umbrella including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC removed fresh onions from selected outlets. Restaurant Brands International, parent company of Burger King, stated that only 5% of its outlets use onions from the questioned Taylor Farms’ facility in Colorado. These steps come after thorough washing, peeling, and slicing the onions by the staff at the outlets.
Understanding E. Coli and Protecting from It
Victims of the current outbreak tested positive for E. Coli 0157:H7, a bacterial strain that produces a potent toxin. This particular strain causes about 74,000 infections in the U.S. each year, leading to over 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 fatalities. Symptoms of E. Coli infection may appear within a day or two of consuming contaminated food and include fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and dehydration signs.
The infection is exceptionally hazardous for vulnerable groups with weaker immune systems, like children under five, elderly individuals, or pregnant people. Hence, it is vital to ensure food is well-cooked, and individuals follow good hygiene habits.
To Conclude
Fast food chains trailblazing the industry are under the microscope after the life-threatening E. Coli food poisoning outbreak linked to onions from a California-based company. The situation requires careful consideration from both consumers and stakeholders in the food industry to prevent the occurrence of such events in the future.