The Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday that it’s investigating whether Taylor Farms, a supplier to McDonald'sIs the possible source of the E. coli outbreak linked to Quarter Pounder hamburgers that killed not less than one person and sickened nearly 50 others.
In a note to customers, distributor US Foods said Taylor Farms had announced a recall of 4 raw onion products out of an abundance of caution “due to possible contamination with E. coli.” The notice asked customers and restaurants to stop using the affected products and destroy them as quickly as possible.
The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention I refined the onion slices that were served on the hamburgers as a possible source of contamination.
An FDA spokesman confirmed Thursday that the agency is investigating Taylor Farms, adding: “We are investigating all possible sources.”
As of Wednesday, 49 persons are sick with E. coli infections linked to the outbreak. One elderly adult has died and 10 others, including a toddler, are suffering hemolytic uremic syndromewere taken to hospital.
Restaurant chains in Colorado, including Illegal Pete's and Taco Bell, also removed onions from their menus following the recall local reports. There is not any evidence of E. coli illnesses related to these restaurants.
Until now, it wasn't clear where the McDonald's onions got here from – neither the restaurant chain nor health authorities had publicly said where the onions were grown or whether or not they were supplied to other restaurants.
A McDonald's spokesman said Wednesday that the raw onions are sourced from a single supplier and processed at a single facility. They are sliced at the ability and packed into individual bags as raw vegetables after which distributed to restaurants.
A spokesman for Taylor Farms didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment. According to the corporate's website, Taylor Farms is a California-based producer of fresh-cut vegetables and fruit.
The Strain of E. coli in outbreakCalled O157:H7, it produces a strong toxin that may damage the liner of the small intestine.
Health officials said Wednesday that they expect the variety of cases to rise.
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