The number of people infected in an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s has risen to 75, according to a statement from the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) on Friday, Reuters said.
As of 25 October, the outbreak has spread to Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington and Michigan. The new cases reported Friday were up sharply from an initial count of 49 in 10 states.
The most cases were reported in Colorado, where 26 cases were reported. At least 13 people fell ill in Montana, 11 in Nebraska, five each in New Mexico and Utah, four each in Missouri and Wyoming, two in Michigan and one each in Iowa, Kansas, Oregon, Wisconsin and Washington, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.
The E. coli O157:H7 strain, causing one death, is considered a cause of serious illness, especially in the elderly, children and immunocompromised people. The likely source of the outbreak was sliced onions used in a quarter-pound meal, and it was supplied by a single supplier serving three distribution centres, initial findings by the FDA showed.
McDonald’s said onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado plant were distributed to about 900 of its restaurants in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming and several other states in the region. Taylor Farms was the supplier for the affected locations, and McDonald’s initiated a voluntary recall, the company and agency said. The supplier also recalled several lots of yellow onions produced at the Colorado facility.
The USDA stated on Wednesday night that while onions are the likely suspect, one of its state partners is testing samples of beef used in the burger for E. coli.
According to the CDC, thanks to the measures taken by McDonald’s and Taylor Farms, the risk to the public is very low. Other major US fast food chains, such as Taco Bell owner Yum and Burger King’s Restaurant Brands division Burger King, have removed fresh onions from their dishes.
