Amid a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, Burger King and Yum Brands are removing fresh onions from some of their locations.
Yum announced it would stop using onions at some KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell outlets as a precaution, though specific locations weren’t disclosed. Burger King asked 5% of its stores, which received onions from a Taylor Farms Colorado facility, to discard them, with plans to restock from other suppliers.
The fast-food chain said it has not been notified by health authorities or received reports of illness.
The E. coli outbreak, affecting at least 49 people across 10 states and resulting in one death, appears linked to onions used on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. McDonald’s has pulled the burger from around 20% of its U.S. outlets.
Federal and state investigators are still determining if the onions or beef patties are the source. McDonald’s identified Taylor Farms as the onion supplier, but the company stated its tests showed no E. coli contamination. However, onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado facility were withdrawn as a precaution.
Most cases have occurred in Colorado and Nebraska, with other affected states including Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
The CDC reported that at least 10 people were hospitalized, with one child developing a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.
The illnesses began in late September, with the most recent case recorded on October 11.
It can take weeks to determine whether a person is part of the outbreak, and those infected typically recover within five to seven days.
