Escherichia coli O157:H7 United States · 2024

E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to onions served at McDonald's, United States, 2024

FDA reported 104 illnesses in 14 states, 34 hospitalisations and one death, an older adult in Colorado. FDA said slivered onions previously served on McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers were the likely source. Of 81 people interviewed, 80 reported eating at McDonald's. Taylor Farms, which supplied yellow onions to McDonald's, began a voluntary recall on 22 October 2024. The outbreak strain was not found in onion or environmental samples, but FDA said epidemiologic and traceback evidence pointed to the recalled onions. USDA FSIS traceback did not identify ground beef as the source.¹

Counts as reported on 3 December 2024.¹ Food vehicle: Fresh slivered onions served on McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers. Company named in official findings: Taylor Farms (onion supplier), McDonald's (restaurant chain).

Timeline

1. 22 October 2024Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of yellow onions.¹
2. 13 November 2024Update reporting 4 people with haemolytic uraemic syndrome.¹
3. 3 December 2024Final update. FDA said CDC considers the outbreak over and the FDA investigation is closed.¹

Sources

1. US Food and Drug Administration, Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Onions (October 2024) (3 December 2024)