E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald's Onions

A recent E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders has raised significant concerns regarding food safety practices at its onion supplier, Taylor Farms. The outbreak, which affected 104 individuals across 14 states and resulted in one death, prompted lawsuits against McDonald's and investigations by the FDA. Inspections revealed numerous health violations at Taylor Farms, including employees failing to wash their hands, using dirty equipment, and improper sanitization practices. The FDA reported the presence of Listeria bacteria and noted that cleaning procedures were inadequately followed, with food debris remaining post-cleaning. McDonald's has since pulled the Quarter Pounders from menus in affected areas and Taylor Farms has recalled thousands of onion cases. Despite these findings, Taylor Farms has maintained confidence in its food safety processes and has not faced regulatory penalties.