### Fast Food Chains Eliminate Onions Due to Severe E. coli Outbreak
In a preventative measure, numerous prominent fast food establishments, such as Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Burger King, have removed onions from their menus at select sites. This action is a direct result of a lethal multistate outbreak of *E. coli* O157:H7, found to be associated with McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. The outbreak has already led to 49 verified cases in 10 states, including a confirmed fatality in Colorado.
#### The Outbreak and Suspected Origins
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not officially identified the precise source of the *E. coli* contamination; however, the main culprits appear to be the beef patties and sliced onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. On Wednesday, McDonald’s onion supplier, Taylor Farms, issued a recall for peeled and diced yellow onions as a precautionary step. While no *E. coli* has been found in the onions, the recall was enacted to reduce any potential hazards.
A notification from US Foods, a significant supplier to food service venues, instructed restaurants to immediately cease using any recalled onions and to “DESTROY THE PRODUCT.” The recall impacts onions that were distributed from Taylor Farms’ facility in Colorado, and the company is collaborating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC as investigations are underway.
#### Fast Food Chains Respond
Following McDonald’s example, Yum Brands, the parent organization of Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut, also opted to exclude fresh onions from the menus of some of its restaurants. Likewise, Restaurant Brands International, the owner of Burger King, has implemented the same policy at its locations.
Maria Gonzales, a manager at a Burger King in Longmont, Colorado, confirmed this decision in a conversation with Reuters, stating, “We’ve been instructed by corporate to refrain from using any onions going forward for the foreseeable future. They’re removed from our menu.”
#### Effect on McDonald’s and Other Chains
McDonald’s has taken considerable measures to tackle the outbreak. The fast-food chain has excluded Quarter Pounders and slivered onions from its menus in various states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, as well as parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. In a public announcement, McDonald’s clarified that the onions in question were sourced from a single supplier catering to three distribution centers. The company continues to offer other beef burgers and diced onions at affected locations but has highlighted that food safety is its utmost priority.
#### Current Situation of the Outbreak
As of Thursday, the *E. coli* outbreak has impacted 49 individuals across 10 states. Of these, 10 individuals have been hospitalized, including a child suffering from a life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Unfortunately, one elderly person in Colorado has died from the infection.
The states with confirmed cases comprise:
– **Colorado**: 26 cases
– **Nebraska**: 9 cases
– **Utah**: 4 cases
– **Wyoming**: 4 cases
– **Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Wisconsin**: 1 case each
The CDC and FDA are persisting in their investigation into the outbreak, with updates anticipated as new information comes to light. In the meantime, consumers are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to any public health advisories concerning food safety.
#### What is *E. coli* O157:H7?
*Escherichia coli* O157:H7 represents a particularly hazardous strain of *E. coli* bacteria capable of causing severe foodborne disease. Symptoms generally include abdominal cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. In certain cases, the infection may lead to more severe complications, such as HUS, which can result in kidney failure and potentially death, particularly among young children and the elderly.
Transmission of the bacteria predominantly occurs through contaminated food or water, with outbreaks frequently linked to undercooked beef, raw vegetables, or unpasteurized dairy products. In this instance, the focus remains on the beef patties and onions utilized in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, though the investigation is still progressing.
#### Conclusion
The initiative by fast food chains to eliminate onions from their menus is a proactive measure designed to avert any further spread of the *E. coli* outbreak. While the precise source of the contamination has not yet been determined, the recall of onions by Taylor Farms and the prompt response from major restaurant chains highlight the gravity of the situation.
As the CDC and FDA continue their inquiry, consumers are encouraged to stay updated and follow any food safety guidelines. For the moment, it seems that the affected establishments are taking all necessary precautions to safeguard their patrons.
For additional information on the outbreak and updates from the CDC, visit [CDC’s official page on the *E
