An E. coli outbreak linked to fresh onions has affected 49 people and resulted in one death, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This alarming situation has prompted concerns among fast food chains that use onions in their recipes.
Taylor Farms, a supplier for McDonald's, which is the largest burger chain in the United States, has recalled several batches of yellow onions produced at a facility in Colorado. This recall was detailed in a memo released by U.S. Foods, one of the country’s leading food service suppliers. However, the alert did not specify whether U.S. Foods supplies onions directly to McDonald's.
Fresh onions are a key ingredient in McDonald’s popular Quarter Pounder hamburger. In response to the outbreak, McDonald's has removed the item from its menu in several states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
E. coli bacteria can vary in their effects, with some strains being harmless while others can lead to severe illness and even death. Previous outbreaks have significantly impacted sales at major fast food chains, as consumers often avoid locations associated with such incidents.
In light of the outbreak, Yum Brands announced on Thursday that it would remove fresh onions from menus at select locations of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell as a precautionary measure. Similarly, Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, has also stopped using onions at certain outlets, particularly in Colorado, where the outbreak originated. A manager at a Burger King in Longmont, Colorado, stated, "We’ve been told by corporate to not use any onions going forward for the foreseeable future. They’re off our menu."
As of Thursday, neither McDonald's nor Restaurant Brands International had responded to requests for comments regarding the situation.
No comments:
Post a Comment