McDonald's Sliced Onions Suspected in E. Coli cases

DENVER, CO., October 23, 2024 — An E. Coli outbreak in Colorado and Nebraska is being tied to McDonald’s, and some menu items have been removed temporarily while an investigation takes place.

The initial findings from the Center for Disease Control indicate a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers. There have been 49 cases reported with ten hospitalizations and one death. Ten states are impacted, but the majority of cases are reported in Colorado and Nebraska. McDonald’s has remove the product from their supply and paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area.

McDonald’s president Joe Erlinger said in a video statement that the Quarter Pounder is the only menu item impacted. According to 2021 estimates, the chain sold about 6.5 billion burgers that year.

The chain has temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in the impacted area, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

According to the CDC, E. coli O157:H7 infection symptoms are reported 3 to 4 days from exposure and most people recover within 5 to 7 days with no treatment necessary.

Erlinger said Wednesday morning the chain is continuing to work with the CDC and “let science lead the way.” He said McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc famously said, if you take care of our customers, the business will take care of itself and that’s what the chain will do.

Source: Rachel Gabel, The Fence Post Magazine and Western Ag Network

McDonald's Sliced Onions Suspected in E. Coli cases

An E. Coli outbreak in Colorado and Nebraska is being tied to McDonald’s, and some menu items have been removed temporarily while an investigation takes place.

NCBA Slams Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Recommendations

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) slammed the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s unhinged recommendations that propose replacing high-quality proteins like beef with beans,...

Conservation Reserve Program Acreage is Highest in a Decade

Total acreage enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is now the highest level in a decade as the program evolves and focuses more on grazing acres than at any time in its history. Checks f...

BLM Seeks Nominations for Public Lands Rule Advisory Committee

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking nominations for a new Federal advisory committee that will help inform how the Bureau implements the Public Lands Rule. The Committee will advise on outreach a...

Thousands of Farmers Could Unknowingly Face Federal Fines or Jail Time

Time is running out for thousands of farmers who may face steep fines and possible jail time for failing to file their businesses with the federal government. Jan. 1, 2025, is the deadline to file Ben...

Colorado FFA adds auctioneering CDE contest, camp

Colorado FFA students may now add auctioneering to their Career Development Event lineup. The Colorado FFA Auctioneering CDE Camp and Contest at the National Western Meat and Greet in Denver on Nov. 1...

Angus Tour Highlights Montana’s Global Genetic Impact

Last month, the 50th annual Montana Angus Tour drew over 400 attendees to central Montana, including a notable delegation of 37 participants from Austria, Finland, Estonia, Hungary, and Bulgaria. West...

Bioceres Affirms Commitment to U.S. Biotechnology Commercialization Principles

October 10, 2024 - In its public statement following USDA’s deregulation of the HB4® drought-tolerance trait from Bioceres Crop Science on Aug. 29, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) noted that it would cont...

NRCS Sets Conservation Program Funding Application Dates

October 10, 2024 - The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Reg...

NCGA President Calls for Action During Meeting at White House

October 9, 2024 - National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Kenneth Hartman Jr. today told Biden administration officials that farmers are living through difficult economic times, but the adm...