An update to CDC’s Food Safety Alert regarding an outbreak of E. coli infections linked to onions served at McDonald’s has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html

Key Points:

• Epidemiologic and traceback information show that fresh, slivered onions are the likely source of illness in this outbreak. As of October 30, 2024:
  • 15 new illnesses have been reported, bringing the total to 90.
  • Five more people have been hospitalized, bringing the total to 27.
  • The most recent illness on-set date is October 16, 2024.
• All new illnesses occurred before McDonald’s and Taylor Farms took action to remove onions from food service locations.
• Due to the product actions taken by McDonald’s and Taylor Farms, CDC believes the continued risk to the public is very low.

What You Should Do:

• If you have severe symptoms of E. coli infection, seek health care, and tell your provider about what you ate.
• Businesses should not use recalled onions supplied by Taylor Farms.

E. coli Symptoms:

• Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
  • Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria.
  • Most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.
• Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized.
• For more information about E. coli, see About Escherichia coli Infection.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.

Thank you,
CDC Media Support Branch
404-639-3286
media@cdc.gov