E. coli Outbreak Linked to Onions Served at McDonald’s | E. coli infection | CDC

New as of 10/30: Fresh, slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders and other menu items from McDonald’s are the likely source of this outbreak. More illnesses have been reported, but they are from before McDonald’s and Taylor Farms took action to remove onions from food service locations. Due to the product actions taken by both companies, CDC believes the risk to the public is very low.

New as of 10/30: Fresh, slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders and other menu items from McDonald’s are the likely source of this outbreak. More illnesses have been reported, but they are from before McDonald’s and Taylor Farms took action to remove onions from food service locations. Due to the product actions taken by both companies, CDC believes the risk to the public is very low.

CDC, FDA, USDA-FSIS, and public health officials in multiple states are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Most people in this outbreak are reporting eating the Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s before becoming sick. McDonald’s stopped using slivered onions on the Quarter Pounder hamburger in some states to try to prevent more people from getting sick.

Epidemiologic and traceback information show that fresh, slivered onions are the likely source of illness in this outbreak. Taylor Farms, the supplier of slivered onions to the affected McDonald’s locations also recalled onions. Food service businesses were contacted directly by Taylor Farms. The likelihood of contaminated onions still being available for sale is low.

Slivered onions served on McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers likely made people sick.

Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions

Because these onions were recalled and are no longer available for sale to food service operators, it is not necessary to avoid eating onions or other foods made with onions.

Call your healthcare provider if you have severe E. coli symptoms: