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

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:

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
[email protected]