On December 3, 2024, the FDA, CDC, and state partners investigated a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to recalled yellow onions distributed by Taylor Farms and served at McDonald's restaurants in certain states. On October 22, 2024, Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of yellow onions and directly notified their food service customers who were impacted. McDonald's no longer serves recalled onions, and there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak. The FDA, Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) collected several product and environmental samples during this investigation. One FDA sample of recalled onions and one environmental sample from a grower tested positive for E. coli, but they were non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and did not match the outbreak strain or any other clinical illnesses. Additional samples from this investigation were analyzed, resulting in a negative for E. coli. The strain of E. coli linked to illnesses in this outbreak was not found in onion or environmental samples; however, epidemiologic and traceback evidence shows that recalled yellow onions were the likely source of this outbreak. A total of 104 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 were reported from 14 states (CO, IA, KS, MI, MO, MT, NE, NM, NC, OR, UT, WA, WI, and WY). State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 81 interviewed, 80 (99%) reported eating at McDonald's. Seventy-five people could remember specific menu items they ate at McDonald's, of which 63 (84%) reported a menu item containing fresh, slivered onions. CDC considers this outbreak over, and the FDA's investigation is closed. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-onions-october-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
