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McDonalds brings back slivered onions amid Big Mac E. coli outbreak
The Big Mac will once again be a welcome addition to the McDonald’s menu after it was removed due to fears surrounding an E. coli outbreak that killed one person and hospitalized many more.
McDonald’s is perhaps the most popular fast-food chain in America, with over 13,000 restaurants, award-winning fries, and seasonal treats that keep you hooked.
A recent E.Coli outbreak was linked to McDonald’s
Last week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that an E.Coli outbreak was directly linked to arguably the restaurant’s most popular menu item, the Big Mac.
From September 27 to October 11, infections of E.coli were reported in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
As a result, and in line with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply and we have paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area, McDonalds North America Chief Supply Chain Officer Cesar Pi�a said at the time. We take food safety extremely seriously and its the right thing to do. Impacted restaurants are receiving a stock recovery notice today and should reach out to their field supply chain manager or distribution center with any questions.”
Investigators initially believed that either the beef patties or silvered onions were contaminated, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later confirming that the onions from Taylor Farms were the ingredient in question.
The Big Mac is back on the menu
On October 27, McDonald’s posted a press release that offered their side of the story alongside updated information for the Big Mac’s return. They confirmed that the beef patties were not contaminated, as per the analysis of CDC Epidemiological data.
“Last week, out of an abundance of caution, we stopped distributing Quarter Pounder beef patties to the impacted area,” they penned. “Based on the above information, we are now confident in asking our beef suppliers to produce a new supply of fresh beef patties for the impacted areas.”
In triumphant news, they added: “We will resume distribution of that fresh supply and the Quarter Pounder is expected to be available in all restaurants in the coming week.”
While most can expect the warm embrace of a Big Mac very soon, 900 restaurants will be serving the meal without slivered onions for the time being. Those restaurants are in Colorado, Kansas, and Wyoming, as well as portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Utah.
You’ll be digging into your Big Mac in no time, just don’t stress about the price changes over the years.
