(The Center Square) – A case investigating an E. coli outbreak in multiple states stemming from onions found in some McDonald’s quarter pounder hamburgers has been concluded, federal agencies said this week.
The outbreak caused 104 reported cases with 34 hospitalizations and one death in Mesa County, Colorado.
The yellow onions used in the burgers were distributed by Taylor Farms, which voluntarily recalled them on Oct. 22 after reported illnesses occurred as early as Sept. 12.
The investigation found that 80 out of 81 individuals interviewed reported eating McDonald’s, and 63 of those individuals reported eating items from the menu that contained the onions.
“McDonald’s is no longer serving recalled onions, and there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in an update Tuesday.
There were also reported cases in Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
“The true number of sick people in this outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses,” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli.”
E. coli symptoms can include cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and fever.
