McDonald's Faces Worst Week Since Pandemic Due to E. Coli Outbreak

McDonald's Halts Onion Sourcing Amid E. Coli Outbreak

McDonald's has announced that it has put an indefinite stop to sourcing onions from Taylor Farms' Colorado plant. This decision comes as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a severe E. coli outbreak. The outbreak has already affected at least 75 people, and there has been one reported death.

In a statement, McDonald's said, "While we removed all slivered onions produced from this facility as of October 22, 2024, due to broad concern and our unwavering commitment to food safety we have made the decision to stop sourcing onions from Taylor Farms' Colorado Springs facility indefinitely."

Impact of the E. Coli Outbreak

A representative from McDonald's informed CBS News that approximately 1 million Quarter Pounders were sold across the country during the E. coli outbreak. The majority of these illnesses were reported in the western half of the country. The states with cases include Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Bloomberg provided a visual representation of the outbreak. The McDonald's representative also noted that the burgers are cooked at 175 degrees, which is the temperature required to kill E. coli bacteria. However, the diced onions are raw, and if they are the source, it would be the first time onions have carried this strain of E. coli.

McDonald's Stock and Other Impacts

As a result of the outbreak, McDonald's shares in New York experienced a 7.5% drop over the week. This marks the worst five-day stretch since March 2020. In addition to McDonald's, food supplier US Foods has issued a recall to thousands of restaurants that it supplied with Taylor Farms' onions. Yum! Brands restaurants, including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC, have also removed fresh onions from their menus in response to the E. coli outbreak.

While there is currently no evidence pinpointing the source of the E. coli outbreak at Taylor Farms, there is a significant need to examine the influx of unvetted migrant workers employed by mega-farms and the processed foods industrial complex.

Bottom Line

The recent E. coli outbreak linked to onions from Taylor Farms has had a significant impact on McDonald's, among other companies. The fast-food giant has seen its worst week since the pandemic, and it has stopped sourcing onions from the Colorado plant indefinitely. The situation raises questions about food safety and the need for scrutiny in the processed foods industry. What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.