The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said epidemiologic and traceback data shows the likely source of an E. coli multistate outbreak is fresh, slivered onions served at McDonald’s.
Taylor Farms recalled its yellow-slivered onions, which were sent to no other foodservice operator, and McDonald’s pulled onions from its affected locations.
The CDC said it, public health and regulatory officials in several states, the Food and Drug Administration and the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service are collecting different types of data to investigate the outbreak.
As of Oct. 30, the CDC said 90 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 13 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from Sept. 27, 2024, to Oct. 16, 2024. Of 83 people with information available, 27 have been hospitalized, and two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death has been reported from an older adult in Colorado who did not develop hemolytic uremic syndrome.
FDA has initiated inspections at a Taylor Farms processing center in Colorado and an onion grower of interest in Washington state. FDA said it is unable to implicate a grower at this time.
