Your Fave Fast Food Items Might Be Affected by an Onion Recall

Is it just us, or does eating any food feel like a total minefield right now? There have been a slew of recent food recalls that have us feeling wary. Trader Joe’s recalled green onions, there was a massive cooked chicken recall that affected retailers around the country and stores like Walmart, Aldi, and Target, and even frozen waffles and pancakes have been pulled from stores this week due to concerns over a Listeria bacteria contamination. Then, it was reported that a person died from E. coli after eating a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder, and now other fast food restaurants are becoming just as paranoid as we are.

The CDC reported that “McDonald’s stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states while the investigation is ongoing to identify the ingredient causing illness,” and people are still getting sick, with 75 total illnesses linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders in 13 states. Now, onion supplier Taylor Farms has voluntarily recalled some of its onions, and other fast food companies have pulled onions from some of their menu items just to be on the safe side.

Burger King told Today.com that while “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.” The restaurants that received onions from that facility have already disposed of them, and they are being replenished by other suppliers.

Meanwhile Yum! Brands, which owns Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC, reports that “out of an abundance of caution, we have proactively removed fresh onions from select Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC restaurants.”

So what can you do in the meantime if your fast food cravings kick in, but you’re worried about the latest food safety scare? You can try making some of these copycat restaurant favorites at home, and don’t forget to keep checking the FDA’s website to stay informed about current and future recalls and food safety concerns.