McDonald's E. Coli outbreak: Food debris found on equipment, FDA says
OAKLAND, Calif. - The FDA released new information about the deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders.
According to the FDA, food debris was found on equipment supposedly fully cleaned at the Taylor Farms food production facility in Colorado that supplied slivered onions used at McDonald's.
Investigators also discovered workers were only using proper hand sanitization processes sometimes.
McDonald’s brings back Quarter Pounders after E. coli outbreak linked to onions
McDonald's has reintroduced the Quarter Pounder at select restaurants after an E. coli outbreak linked to onions, not beef patties. Learn more about the investigation and safety measures.
FDA officials previously said their preliminary investigation pointed to the slivered onions as the source behind the outbreak.
McDonald's reported it had stopped using Salinas-based Taylor Farms' onions after the outbreak. In the outbreak, one person was killed and over 100 were sickened across 14 states.
In response to the FDA's claims, Taylor Farms said they are confident in their "best-in-class" food safety processes and the quality and safety of their products.
The grower said the federal agency classified the inspection as "voluntary action indicated," meaning the FDA is "not prepared to take or recommend any administrative or regulatory action."
According to Taylor Farms, the FDA made three observations of conditions that could be improved, and that they took steps immediately to address the observations.
"This is consistent with the fact that no illnesses or public health threat has been linked to these observations. We know that maintaining trust with our customers and consumers is essential and we are committed to preserving that trust. Our vision of creating healthy lives continues to be important, and we remain deeply committed to delivering the safest, healthiest fresh foods possible to our customers," Taylor Farms said in a statement.