Marler Clark Weighs in with E. coli Lawsuit Against McDonald’s

SEATTLE — The E. coli attorneys at Marler Clark filed a lawsuit against McDonald's Corporation on behalf of Sarah Johnson in the District Court of the District of Nebraska. McDonald's has confirmed that Taylor Farms was the supplier of onions that have been linked to a deadly E. coli outbreak traced to Quarter Pounder burgers sold at the chain's restaurants in at least 10 states.

As of Oct. 24, 75 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 13 states — Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Michigan. According to information available, 22 have been hospitalized, and two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. One death has been reported from an adult in Colorado. 

Taylor Farms, the supplier of slivered onions to the affected McDonald's locations, has initiated a voluntary recall and has asked customers to stop using some onions while this investigation is ongoing. Food service customers were contacted directly and told to remove onions.

In addition, on Oct. 23, US Foods, the country's largest supplier of food-to-food service operations including restaurants in all 50 states, reported that Taylor Farms had recalled whole peeled onions as well as diced onions. The wholesaler said that it was not a McDonald's supplier and that its recall did not include any products sold at the fast-food chain's restaurants.

Other fast-food chains have pulled fresh onions from their menus. Those restaurants include Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King. Illegal Pete's also took onions off the menu, according to a US Foods recall notice. US Foods said the recalled onions came from a Taylor Farms facility in Colorado.