The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially named Taylor Farms onions served at McDonald’s as the source of the recent Escherichia coli outbreak, and has reported 90 illnesses, 27 hospitalizations, two cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, and one fatality.
Testing has shown no sign of Escherichia coli contamination in McDonald’s Quarter Pounder beef patties, and traceback and epidemiological data have ruled out beef as the cause of the ongoing E. coli outbreak. Quarter Pounders have returned to the menu at affected McDonald’s locations—without slivered onions.
The “Use and Impact Of Codex Texts: Report of The Codex Survey 2023” showed an 80 percent satisfaction rate among Codex members with Codex Alimentarius texts, but low- and middle-income countries noted a lack of awareness as a significant barrier to adoption.
By fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, food businesses reduce risks and gain agility, positioning themselves as industry leaders. This proactive approach enables companies to manage food safety risks more effectively while staying competitive and responsive to evolving demands.
Amid the ongoing E. coli outbreak, Taylor Farms has been confirmed as the onion supplier to the affected McDonald’s locations. As a result, national restaurant chains are proactively pulling onions from their menus. FDA is still investigating whether onions are the vehicle of illness.
A foodborne illness outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders contaminated with Escherichia coli has caused 49 illnesses, ten hospitalizations, and one death in ten states. Slivered onions used on the sandwiches are the probable vehicle of illness.
As a result of Operation OPSON 2024—an EU-wide coordinated effort targeting fraudulent and counterfeit foods—22,000 tons of food and 850,000 liters of beverages, totaling €91 million, were removed from the market.
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On November 12–13, the Penn State Extension is offering a virtual course to help produce growers comply with Produce Safety Rule requirements under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The option to receive a certificate of completion is available.
A recent study analyzed U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food product recall data from 2002–2023, drawing conclusions from more than 35,000 product recalls.