In a major move to ensure food safety, leading fast-food chains including McDonald’s, Burger King, and Yum Brands have decided to remove fresh onions from their menus. This decision comes in the wake of an E. coli outbreak that has been linked to the vegetable, causing widespread concern among consumers.
The outbreak, which has reportedly caused 49 illnesses and one fatality, has been traced back to contaminated onions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an investigation into Taylor Farms, the supplier of onions to many McDonald’s locations, after multiple people reported falling ill with E. coli after consuming Quarter Pounder hamburgers. The FDA believes that the slivered onions served on these hamburgers are the most likely source of the contamination.
Following the outbreak, the parent company of Burger King, Restaurant Brands International, and Yum Brands have also announced the removal of fresh onions from their menus. A spokesperson confirmed that about 5% of Burger King outlets have already implemented this change. “We’ve been told by corporate to not use any onions going forward for the foreseeable future,” said Maria Gonzales, a manager at a Longmont, Colorado Burger King, according to a report by Reuters.
This latest E. coli outbreak follows a recent report of cases linked to McDonald’s hamburgers, which had already led to a drop in the company’s stock. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that 49 cases of E. coli were detected across 10 states, with the majority of sick people reporting eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers from McDonald’s.
McDonald’s identified Taylor Farms as the source of the contaminated onions, which have now been recalled. Yellow onions from a Colorado facility have been recalled, according to a memo by US Foods, a major U.S. food service supplier.
Despite the outbreak, analysts initially stated that the impact on McDonald’s stock would be minimal. However, David Tarantino, an analyst at Baird Equity Research, downgraded McDonald’s shares to “neutral” due to concerns over consumer sentiment.
The removal of onions from these popular fast-food chains is a significant step in addressing the E. coli outbreak. The FDA is working with both federal and state authorities and the companies to establish if onions led to the outbreak and to prevent further illnesses. The situation continues to be monitored closely, and consumers are advised to stay informed about the latest updates and recommendations.
