Onions served at McDonald's are likely source of E. coli outbreak

Notice

For immediate release: October 30, 2024
CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

An update to CDC's Food Safety Alert regarding an outbreak of E. coli infections linked to onions served at McDonald's has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html

Key Points:

  • Epidemiologic and traceback information show that fresh, slivered onions are the likely source of illness in this outbreak. As of October 30, 2024:
    • 15 new illnesses have been reported, bringing the total to 90.
    • Five more people have been hospitalized, bringing the total to 27.
    • The most recent illness on-set date is October 16, 2024.
  • All new illnesses occurred before McDonald's and Taylor Farms took action to remove onions from food service locations.
  • Due to the product actions taken by McDonald's and Taylor Farms, CDC believes the continued risk to the public is very low.

What You Should Do:

  • If you have severe symptoms of E. coli infection, seek health care, and tell your provider about what you ate.
  • Businesses should not use recalled onions supplied by Taylor Farms.

E. coli Symptoms:

  • Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
    • Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria.
    • Most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.
  • Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized.
  • For more information about E. coli, see About Escherichia coli Infection.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state's health department.

Thank you,
CDC Media Support Branch
404-639-3286
media@cdc.gov