Always Putting Food Safety First

The health and safety of our people and customers is our top priority at McDonald's. Please see this page for the latest updates on this matter.

UPDATE: October 25, 2024

Statement from McDonald’s USA regarding recall of onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado facility:

We understand from our ongoing partnership with health authorities that onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility have been a source of focus in an ongoing investigation related to E. coli O157:H7. As noted by FDA on October 22, 2024, slivered onions from Taylor Farms’ facility in Colorado Springs are the “likely source of contamination.” In its update today (October 25, 2024), FDA notes that yellow onions were sold by this supplier and from this facility to additional food service customers. 

McDonald’s stopped selling this product as of October 22, 2024, and we understand FDA is continuing its investigation into that facility. Prior to this action, slivered onions from this facility were distributed to approximately 900 McDonald’s restaurants, in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, and portions of other states in the area. A select number of restaurants were in transportation hubs, such as airports, which may account for illnesses in additional states. Nothing is more important to us than the quality and safety of our food, which is why McDonald’s took swift and decisive action to protect the health of our customers. 

We also understand that onions were distributed by this supplier, from this facility, well beyond McDonald’s System (including other quick service restaurants, food service providers). In the past 24 hours, many appear to have followed McDonald’s lead in not serving onions from this facility. We fully expect others in our industry will also follow the imperative to be transparent in service of public health, and we expect health authorities will continue to provide updates. 

While McDonald’s 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.

As a reminder, all other menu items, including other beef products (including the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble, and the Double Cheeseburger) are unaffected and available.   

At McDonald’s, food safety is something we will never compromise on. Customers can count on McDonald’s to do the right thing, and public health authorities can count on McDonald’s continued close partnership. We thank health authorities for all they are doing. 

UPDATE: October 23, 2024 

McDonalds maintains strict food safety standards and protocols and take our approach to food safety management extremely seriously. For an overview on McDonald’s restaurant food safety protocols, click here.

UPDATE: October 22, 2024

McDonald's North America Chief Supply Chain Officer Cesar Piña shared the following internal message.

Across the McDonald’s System, serving customers safely in every single restaurant, each and every day, is our top priority and something we’ll never compromise on.

It is why we are taking swift and decisive action following an E. Coli outbreak in certain states. The initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers. 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.

Out of an abundance of caution, we are also temporarily removing the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in the impacted area, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. We take food safety extremely seriously and it’s 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.

We are working in close partnership with our suppliers to replenish supply for the Quarter Pounder in the coming weeks (timing will vary by local market). In the meantime, all other menu items, including other beef products (including the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble and the Double Cheeseburger) are unaffected and available. We will continue to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are committed to providing timely updates as we restore our full menu.

Please see below for a brief video message from Joe on this topic.
 

I want to thank all of you for your support as we continue to prioritize safety in our restaurants.

Thank you,

Cesar

SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer, North America