NO ONIONS, PLEASE

More Than 100 E. Coli Infections Now Linked to McDonald’s Outbreak

The CDC said the food safety concerns appeared to be over.

Officials have confirmed that more than 100 people were infected by a severe E. Coli outbreak linked to slivered onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, Forbes reported. The infections sent 34 people to the hospital and left four with a potentially life-threatening kidney condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome. One person has died. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed 104 infections but believe the actual number is likely much higher, as many people recover without ever being tested, according to an agency update. “There does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak,” the CDC said. More than 900 McDonald’s restaurants in 14 states were forced to stop serving Quarter Pounders last month after the CDC issued a food safety alert about an E. Coli outbreak connected to the fast-food giant’s burgers. After testing ruled out the beef patties as the exact source, yellow onions from a specific supplier in California were identified as the most likely culprit. McDonald’s resumed selling Quarter Pounders with no onions while it searched for a new supplier, and last week, slivered onions were back on the menu. The company’s CEO has called the outbreak “deeply concerning” and said McDonald’s is “committed to making this right.”