Guess what, foodies? 🍔 Big-name fast-food spots across the U.S. are hitting pause on onions after an E. coli outbreak that's got everyone talking. McDonald's fans, you might notice your favorite Quarter Pounder is missing that onion kick! 😱
The scoop? Over 75 people have fallen ill across multiple Midwestern and Western states. There’s been one reported death and 22 hospitalizations. Two folks even developed a serious kidney condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome. Scary stuff! 😰 The FDA spilled the beans on this latest crisis just last Friday.
This whole ordeal shines a light on a tricky issue: keeping fresh produce safe is harder than flipping burgers. Unlike meat, which gets cooked to zap away germs, veggies like onions are served raw. That means any nasty bacteria doesn't get a chance to peace out before you take a bite. 🥗⚠️
Donald Schaffner, our go-to food safety guru from Rutgers University, says cooking is like a magic wand against contamination. But with fresh produce, problems can pop up from things like dirty water, dodgy manure, or sloppy handling in the kitchen. Yikes! 🧪🧤
In response, McDonald's has stopped getting onions from Taylor Farms' Colorado Springs facility, which used to supply around 900 restaurants. They've been testing produce left and right, but so far, no sign of this sneaky E. coli strain. Fingers crossed they keep it that way! 🤞
This isn't the first time fast-food joints have clashed with contaminated veggies. Remember when Taco Bell and Wendy's had their own run-ins? 🌮🍟 Despite the Food Safety Modernization Act stepping up the game in 2011, experts like Mike Taylor (no relation!) think big players need to team up. His idea? Fast-food chains and grocery stores should join forces to level up safety standards across all suppliers. Teamwork makes the dream work, right? 🛡️🏆
Reference(s):
Major U.S. fast-food chains take onions off menus over E. coli crisis
cgtn.com
