Since October 22, the date on which the the cases were first reportedmore than 30 people were hospitalized and one person died in Colorado. Diseases caused by E. coli (a type of bacteria which can cause infections) have been attributed to sliced ​​onions from supplier Taylor Farmswhich sent onions to McDonald’s restaurants in areas where E. coli was reported.

In a November 14 statementMcDonald’s responded to food safety concerns, saying it had “identified an alternate supplier of thinly sliced ​​onions to approximately 900 restaurants” that had previously stopped serving Quarter Pounder burgers with thinly sliced ​​onions due to the outbreak, and that restaurants “started selling hamburgers with chopped onions again.” “

The company emphasized that the FDA did not confirm any food safety concerns in its latest update, and the risks to public health are low, according to the CDC. However, the CDC estimates that the number of cases of E. coli reported is “probably much higher” because many sick people are not tested for E. coli, determining illness can take weeks and those who may have been affected can recover without a medical examination. care.