Food Safety Authority Discovers Unclean Equipment, Inadequate Hygiene Practices at McDonald's Onion Vendor Following E. Coli Outbreak
In late October 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a nationwide E. coli outbreak that affected at least 104 people across 14 states, resulting in 34 hospitalizations, one death, and four cases of a severe kidney complication. The outbreak was traced back to contaminated yellow onions supplied by Taylor Farms, a food production facility in Colorado.
The affected onions were used exclusively on Quarter Pounder burgers at McDonald's restaurants, primarily in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, and other states. In response, McDonald's suspended the use of onions and quarter-pound beef patties in affected locations, quickly sourcing an alternative onion supplier, and resuming normal operations by late October 2024.
Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of the yellow onions on October 22, 2024, following the outbreak. Federal and state health officials, including the FDA and CDC, investigated the incident, and by mid-2025, they concluded that there was no longer an ongoing safety risk.
The FDA's inspections at Taylor Farms' Colorado facility, which took place between October 28 and November 12, 2024, found a lack of proper contamination control and dirty equipment. The report detailed several food safety violations, including equipment with apparent biofilm and large amounts of food debris.
Despite the findings, Taylor Farms stated that no administrative or regulatory action was taken against the company. The company also recalled other onion products after the outbreak, but no further cases outside of McDonald's were documented.
Inspectors found several areas where recontamination of environmental pathogens could occur and production rooms kept at temperatures that could allow germs to grow, such as the bacteria Listeria. Workers at Taylor Farms were found to only sometimes use hand sanitizers when handling ready-to-eat foods.
By early December, government health officials declared the E. coli outbreak over. Taylor Farms has taken steps to remedy the issues found, according to a statement to CBS News.
It's worth noting that annually reported foodborne illnesses are down from a decade ago, but the incidence of common germs like Listeria and Salmonella hasn't changed in recent years. The U.S. is not on track to reach the lower rates of foodborne disease set as a goal by the federal government for 2030.
McDonald's returned the Quarter Pounder and slivered onions to its menu after switching to a different onion supplier. The E. coli outbreak affected other fast food chains temporarily, who pulled their own onion products out of caution.
[1] CBS News. (2024, October 22). Taylor Farms recalls yellow onions linked to E. coli outbreak. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/taylor-farms-recalls-yellow-onions-linked-to-e-coli-outbreak/
[2] McDonald's Corporation. (2024, October 26). McDonald's USA statement on E. coli report. Retrieved from https://news.mcdonalds.com/mcdonalds-usa-statement-on-e-coli-report
[3] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024, November 15). FDA issues warning letter to Taylor Farms for food safety violations. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-issues-warning-letter-taylor-farms-food-safety-violations
- Looking ahead, the future of food safety regulations may tighten as a result of the 2024 E. coli outbreak linked to contaminated yellow onions supplied by Taylor Farms.
- As the use of technology in the food industry continues to advance, health-and-wellness enthusiasts may be interested to know about the role CBD can play in preventing foodborne illnesses, given its potential antibacterial properties.
- In the realm of science and health, further research could uncover the link between the improper handling and storage of food and the prevalence of E. coli outbreaks, as noted in the case of the Taylor Farms incident.
- In accordance with the ongoing commitment to customer safety, fast food chains like McDonald's will likely prioritize sourcing from suppliers that adhere to strict food safety standards when it comes to peace of mind for their customers and maintaining a positive brand reputation.
- In keeping up with lifestyle trends, food-and-drink establishments will continue to focus on the transparency of their ingredients and supply chain practices, ensuring customers feel confident about the safety and quality of their food.
