In the wake of McDonald's E. coli outbreak, onions were removed from ‘select’ KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut locations, and 5% of Burger Kings
The fallout continues from this week’s E. coli outbreak, which led to 49 reported illnesses and one fatality and caused McDonald’s to remove its signature Quarter Pounder in a dozen states. Shortly after McDonald’s supplier Taylor Farms recalled yellow onions produced in its Colorado facility, US Foods sent a recall notice.
Onions were promptly removed at 14 Illegal Pete’s locations. Also Thursday, Yum Brands said it removed onions from select Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC restaurants.
“As we continue to monitor the recently reported E. coli outbreak, and out of an abundance of caution, we have proactively removed fresh onions from select Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC restaurants. We will continue following supplier and regulatory guidance to ensure the ongoing safety and quality of our food,” a spokesperson told Nation’s Restaurant News.
And, Burger King is taking precautions at 5% of its domestic system, telling NRN: “We have reviewed our restaurant supply given recent announcements. There is no crossover with McDonald’s for the vast majority of our onion facilities. About 5% of our restaurants do receive onions distributed from the Taylor Farms Colorado facility. Burger King only uses whole, fresh onions and our team members then cut them, peel them, wash them and slice them fresh in our restaurants every day. Despite no contact from health authorities and no indications of illness, we proactively asked our 5% of restaurants who received whole onions distributed by this facility to dispose of them immediately two days ago and we are in the process of restocking them from other facilities.”
Nation’s Restaurant News reached out to several other chains to learn their recall status.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
