By In a swift reaction to a reported E. coli outbreak, several major fast-food chains in the United States have decided to pull fresh onions from their menus. This move comes after McDonald’s identified onions as the likely source of the contamination that has sickened dozens. Consumers are now left wondering about the safety of their favorite fast-food ingredients.
Industry Takes Action
Fast-food leaders like Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Burger King have proactively removed fresh onions from select locations. Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC, issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to customer safety.
- Proactive Measures:
- Removed onions from menus
- Focused on select restaurant locations
- Monitoring the situation closely
Burger King alone has withdrawn onions from nearly 5% of its outlets nationwide. This coordinated effort across multiple brands highlights the seriousness of the outbreak and the industry’s dedication to preventing further cases.
McDonald’s Faces Legal Challenges
The outbreak has had significant repercussions for McDonald’s, leading to the suspension of its popular Quarter Pounder hamburgers in a fifth of its restaurants. Tragically, one individual has died, and at least 49 others have fallen ill across 10 states.
A Colorado resident has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s, claiming negligence in the handling and care of their food products. The lawsuit seeks $50,000 (€46,000) in damages, citing the severe health impacts resulting from the contaminated Quarter Pounder.
Supply Chain Scrutiny
McDonald’s has identified a California-based company as the supplier of the implicated sliced onions. However, there has been no immediate response from the produce supplier regarding the outbreak. Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, confirmed that 5% of its restaurants used onions from the same supplier, leading to their removal from the menus.
| Supplier Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Supplier Location | California-based company |
| Affected Products | Sliced onions |
| Percentage Affected | 5% of Burger King locations |
Despite these actions, a spokesperson from Restaurant Brands International mentioned that they have not yet been contacted by health authorities or received reports of illnesses related to their onions.