E. Coli Outbreak Forces McDonald's to Pull out Onions and Quarter Pounder Across Multiple States

Experts state that fresh produce like onions is harder to keep safe from E. coli contamination, even with washing and testing.

By Thea Felicity

Oct 25 2024, 11:10 AM EDT

E. Coli Outbreak Forces McDonald's to Pull Out Quarter Pounder — NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 23: In this photo illustration, a McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburger meal is seen at a McDonald's on October 23, 2024 in the Flatbush neighborhood in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Federal health officials announced that at least 49 people in 10 states have become sick from E. coli food poisoning linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Over 49 McDonald's customers were hospitalized recently after an E. coli outbreak that resulted in one death.

In return, the fast-food chain will be removing fresh onions from their menus, after the US Department of Agriculture identified them as the likely cause of the outbreak. Compared to ground beef, which is the usual target of E.coli, onions and produce can be harder to keep safe from contamination.

Besides being onion-free, Reuters shared that McDonald's will also be taking off its Quarter Pounder from the shelves temporarily across 20% of US locations, especially in affected states of West and Midwest.

E. coli from Onions

Reuters also learned that crops grown outdoors are more likely to catch contamination when feces from wildlife or nearby farm animals enter the water used for irrigation or even through floodwater. Take note, WHO reported that E. coli is a common bacteria found in animal intestines, especially in cattle. But can be present in most farm animals, which increases contamination risks.

This is why previously, foodborne illnesses were common in beef patties until stricter US regulations reduced beef-related E.coli outbreaks after Jack in the Box's case that killed four put 170 people in the hospital. Besides, beef is usually cooked, which kills bacteria. But fresh produce, like onions, is eaten raw. Despite thorough washing and testing, low levels of contamination can still escape detection in large-scale produce. This makes it harder to keep vegetables as safe as cooked meats.

McDonald's and its onion supplier, Taylor Farms, are known for their strict food regulations with regular testing, as a requirement from CDC. However, they were still unable to detect the E. coli strain present in the recent outbreak.

Former FDA official asserted that beef safety is mostly managed by government laws, while produce safety could be better handled by fast-food chains and grocery standards. Experts are now suggesting using radiation to eliminate microbes in produce but would be impractical due to its negative effect on humans.