(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A California-based produce company has been identified as the source of the fresh onions linked to the McDonald’s E. coli outbreak, and the company has issued a voluntary recall of onion products from a Colorado distribution center.
According to the Associated Press (AP), McDonald’s confirmed on Thursday, Oct. 25 that the Taylor Farms location in Salinas, California sent onions to one distribution facility, which lead to McDonald’s pulling its Quarter Pounders off the menu. An outbreak linked to the burgers resulted in 49 reports of illness, 26 of them in Colorado, and the death of an elderly woman in Mesa County.
Taylor Farms is one of US Food’s third party suppliers, with more than 70 distribution centers across the country.
A spokesperson for US Foods told FOX21 News the Taylor Farms location in Colorado issued a voluntary recall on its specific onions products:
US Foods takes food safety very seriously. Out of an abundance of caution, Taylor Farms, one of our third-party suppliers, has issued a voluntary recall for specific onion products produced out of their Colorado facility. The Taylor Farms recall impacts six US Foods distribution centers located in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and New Mexico. US Foods operates 70+ distribution centers across the country. As aligned with our rigorous recall process, we have contacted all impacted US Foods customers with appropriate recall instructions.
Sara Matheu, Senior Director, External Communications, US Foods
Matheu went on to explain that US Foods is not a distributor for McDonald’s restaurants, and McDonald’s restaurants are not included in the recall.
AP reports the products recalled included peeled whole and diced yellow onions.
FOX21 News also reached out to El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) about its response to the outbreak. EPCPH said it is coordinating with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor the situation and reach out to people who test positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
EPCPH said symptoms of STEC to watch out for include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), nausea/vomiting, and fever. If you believe you may have ingested something contaminated with E. coli and are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should contact your healthcare provider.
