Major Fast Food Chains Recall Onions Amid E. Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders

Amid an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, several major food chains, including Yum! Brands and Burger King, have removed onions from select restaurants as a precaution. The outbreak has affected at least 49 individuals across 10 states, leading to one fatality, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigating slivered onions used in Quarter Pounders as a possible contamination source.

McDonald’s responded by temporarily pulling the Quarter Pounder from menus in affected areas and halting onion use from its supplier, Taylor Farms. The supplier also recalled yellow onions from its Colorado facility, while U.S. Foods and Sysco issued similar recalls to restaurants using Taylor Farms’ onions.

Burger King proactively removed onions from 5% of its U.S. locations supplied by the same facility, and Yum! Brands, owner of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut, also pulled fresh onions as a precaution.

The incident has sparked the first lawsuit, filed on behalf of a Colorado consumer who reportedly contracted E. coli after consuming a Quarter Pounder. The lawsuit alleges McDonald’s negligence and product liability for distributing unsafe food, seeking $50,000 per claim. More legal action may follow, with other firms investigating similar cases.