Topline

McDonald’s will resume sales of its Quarter Pounder burgers, the company announced Sunday, after testing by authorities in Colorado ruled out that the company’s beef patties were the source of a major E. coli outbreak that resulted in one death and caused diseases in dozens of others around the world. multiple states.

Key facts

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What was the likely source of the E. Coli outbreak?

In its latest update on the outbreak, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it is also testing whether the chopped onions served with the burger are the source of the outbreak. California-based produce company Taylor Farms, which supplied the cut onions to affected McDonald’s locations, has initiated a voluntary recall of its yellow onions. McDonald’s said, “The 900 restaurants that historically received sliced ​​onions from the Taylor Farms plant in Colorado Springs will resume selling Quarter Pounders without sliced ​​onions.” The company’s statement added that Taylor Farms’ chopped onions have been distributed to other fast-food restaurants, but that public health authorities’ interviews at this stage will likely focus on patients who record visiting McDonald’s. This could also lead to more cases being linked to McDonald’s.”

Big number

75. That’s the total number of people who have gotten sick due to the E. Coli outbreak in 13 states. According to the FDA, the outbreak has resulted in 22 hospitalizations and one death.

Important background

Last week, the CDC issued a food safety alert saying an E. Coli outbreak had affected dozens of people in multiple states and caused the death of at least one person. Most people who became ill reported consuming the Quarter Pounder burgers at McDonald’s. Since then, other fast food chains, including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC, have reportedly removed onions from their products in the affected areas out of an “abundance of caution.” The outbreak has resulted in at least one lawsuit against McDonald’s by a Colorado resident who tested positive for an E. coli infection after eating at one of the fast-food chain’s locations.

Read more

Some Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC locations are pulling onions after E. Coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder (Forbes)

First lawsuit filed against McDonald’s over E. Coli outbreak (Forbes)