A McDonald’s supplier has recalled onions due to suspected E.coli contamination amid an outbreak that has sickened 49 people and left one dead.
California-based Taylor Farms issued the recall, revealed by a food supplier, after reports suggested the sliced vegetables were a ‘likely source of contamination’.
It is thought that the onions had been used in Quarter Pounders, which are at the center of the outbreak affecting ten states.
Restaurants that have the recalled onions have been advised to ‘destroy’ them immediately.
Investigations are still ongoing as to the cause of the outbreak, linked to Quarter Pounders
Four products were included in the recall: Peeled jumbo yellow onions, two types of diced fresh yellow onions and whole, peeled yellow onions.
Onions from Taylor Farms have not yet tested positive for E.coli, and officials have not confirmed whether the recall is linked to the outbreak.
But sources say their efforts to track the source of the contamination have focused on the onions because the patties used in the Quarter Pounders in affected states had come from separate sources. McDonald’s said the patties are also cooked to a temperature of 175F, which would kill the bacteria that can’t survive above 160F.
In a notification of the recall, US Foods — a major distributor — said: ‘There is a potential food safety concern. It is urgent that you stop using affected product as soon as possible.
‘If you find any of the affected product, please record the number of cases and then destroy the product.’
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