A California-based agricultural products company was the source of the fresh onions linked to an E. coli food poisoning outbreak at McDonald’s, restaurant chain executives reported on Thursday. Meanwhile, other fast-food companies such as Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Burger King have removed onions from some of their menus.
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McDonald's executives pointed out that Taylor Farms, from Salinas, California, sent onions to a distribution center, leading the fast food chain to remove quarter pounder burgers from their menus in several states. McDonald's did not specify which distribution center received the onions.
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An outbreak linked to hamburgers has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states, including an elderly person who died, according to federal health authorities. Investigators pointed to onions as a possible source of the outbreak.
US Foods, a major wholesaler for restaurants nationwide, said on Thursday that Taylor Farms had ordered the recall of whole or chopped yellow onions this week due to a potential E. coli contamination. The onions removed from the market came from a Taylor Farms facility in Colorado, a US Foods spokesperson said. However, the wholesaler also noted that they were not a supplier to McDonald's and their recall does not include products sold at the fast-food chain's restaurants.
Taylor Farms did not respond to several requests for comments.
Officials from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not confirm that the agency is investigating Taylor Farms. A spokesperson said on Thursday that the agency is "reviewing all sources" of the outbreak.
Meanwhile, other fast-food restaurant chains in the country temporarily suspended the use of fresh onions.
"As we continue to monitor the E. coli outbreak that has been recently reported, and as a precautionary measure, we have proactively removed fresh onions from some Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC restaurants," Yum Brands reported in a statement.
Yum Brands, based in Louisville, Kentucky, did not disclose where the onions were sourced from or whether the company uses the same supplier as McDonald's. The company stated that it will continue to adhere to the guidelines of regulators and its suppliers.
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