Doctors told me I'd be 'very unlucky' to have TB in Australia. A week later I tested positive

E. Coli Outbreak Linked To McDonald's Is Over, CDC Says

An E. Coli outbreak linked to McDonald's has ended, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday.

The outbreak sickened at least 104 people in 14 states, about a third of whom were hospitalized. One person, an 88-year-old man, died in Colorado. The total number of illnesses was likely much higher, according to the CDC. 

The outbreak was announced on Oct. 22. It usually takes several weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak. The illnesses started on Sept. 12 and continued until Oct. 21.

"The process to reach this point has at times felt long, challenging and uncertain," McDonald's said in a Tuesday statement. "But it is critical that public officials examine every possible angle, and we are deeply grateful that they moved quickly to identify and, in partnership with McDonald's, contain the issue. We'd like to thank them once again."

Investigators determined the E. Coli outbreak was linked to slivered onions on McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers. Taylor Farms, the onion distributor, initiated a recall in late October. McDonald's initially removed Quarter Pounders from menus in several states early in the outbreak and later found another supplier for onions. 

"McDonald's is no longer serving recalled onions, and there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

People infected with E. Coli can experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Most people recover without treatment after five to seven days.

Last month, McDonald's said it was investing $100 million to "accelerate recovery and support the most heavily impacted franchisees" after the outbreak. 

"Looking ahead, we must remain laser focused on regaining our customers' hard-earned trust and reigniting their brand affinity," McDonald's said in a Tuesday statement.

More from CBS News

At least 4 killed after multiple tornadoes hit the southern U.S.

Norovirus is surging in parts of the U.S. This winter, CDC data show

Netanyahu's prostate removal surgery was a success, hospital says

Missing Tennessee girl left in the woods by a man she met online, sheriff says

Gaza babies struggle as temperatures drop and war continues around them

Aliza Chasan

Aliza Chasan is a Digital Content Producer for "60 Minutes" and CBSNews.Com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

Are Onions Safe To Eat In Wake Of Deadly E. Coli Outbreak? Here Are Tips To Avoid Contamination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed last month that slivered onions served on McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers were the probable source of an E. Coli outbreak that prompted the fast-food restaurant chain to stop selling the menu item temporarily.

At least 104 individuals in 14 states fell ill, and there was one death reported in Colorado, according to a CDC statement. But, per the CDC, the real number of people who became sick from this E. Coli outbreak is likely higher.

Because the onions from the supplier were recalled and are no longer available for sale to food service operators, it's not necessary to avoid eating onions or other foods made with onions, the CDC said.

But should you be concerned in general about eating onions?

The CDC said it's not likely the recalled onions went to grocery stores or directly to consumers. 

"When people are selecting onions at the grocery store, my advice is to look for onions without cuts or other obvious blemishes," said Donald W. Schaffner, a professor and chair of the Department of Food Science at Rutgers University in New Jersey. 

It's not necessary to avoid eating onions or other foods made with onions, the CDC said. Juniart – stock.Adobe.Com

"Places where produce items like onions are damaged can represent sites for microbial growth and can lead to spoilage or, if pathogens are present, multiplication to higher levels [can be] riskier."

How do onions become contaminated with E. Coli? 

Like many fresh produce items, onions can become contaminated with E. Coli if they are exposed to contaminated water or soil during growing, harvesting or processing, said Sarah Heckler, a registered dietitian with Anne Till Nutrition Group in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Contamination may also occur if onions are handled by people with unclean hands or if the food encounters dirty surfaces, Heckler told Fox News Digital. 

Onions remain a healthy and versatile food, Heckler said.

Onions can become contaminated with E. Coli if they are exposed to contaminated water or soil during growing, harvesting or processing. Azeemud-Deen Jacobs/peopleimages.Com – stock.Adobe.Com

They provide essential vitamins like C and B6, minerals such as potassium and manganese, and dietary fiber for gut health. 

Plus, with their low-calorie count and high antioxidant content, onions can reduce inflammation, support immunity and lower the risk of chronic diseases, Heckler said, making them a flavorful and nutritious addition to your diet. 

Cooking onions to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills E. Coli and other harmful bacteria, Heckler said — making cooked onions safer to eat. 

"If you're concerned about contamination, cooking is an effective precaution," she said.

Tips to avoid contamination

There are a few tips to know to avoid contamination. 

"When purchasing raw onions, look for firm onions that show no signs of damage and then store them in a cool, dry place," recommended Erin Palinski-Wade, a registered dietitian in Sparta, New Jersey, and author of the book "Walking the Weight Off for Dummies." 

Cooking onions to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills E. Coli and other harmful bacteria, Heckler said — making cooked onions safer to eat.  Veronika Idiyat – stock.Adobe.Com

Wash your hands before and after handling an onion, Palinski-Wade said. 

Before preparing a raw onion, rinse it under cold water, she also advised.

During the holidays, when multiple people are in the kitchen prepping food together, there is a higher risk of cross-contamination, Palinksi-Wade told Fox News Digital. 

"And with the business of the holidays, it is more likely food may be left out at unsafe temperatures or not stored properly," she said. 

To help minimize the risk, she suggested designating a food prep area specifically for raw produce that is kept away from raw meats and other possible contaminants. 

CDC Issues Major Update About McDonald's E. Coli Outbreak

A lethal E. Coli outbreak linked to slivered onions served on McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers has ended, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday.

The bacteria strain linked to the outbreak killed one and infected 104 people across 14 states, according to the CDC. At least 34 people were hospitalized in the outbreak and at least four developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a rare but serious disease that can cause kidney failure, according to the agency.

An E. Coli infection can cause symptoms including diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever.

The E. Coli outbreak linked to slivered onions served at McDonald's is over, the CDC said on Tuesday. Getty Images

The FDA said it tested recalled onions and an environmental sample from a grower, both of which tested positive for a different E. Coli strain than the one involved in the outbreak. The agency said no human illnesses were linked to this different strain. Additional samples from the investigation tested negative for E. Coli, the FDA said.

The CDC update "reinforces the importance of our values, particularly in moving quickly to do the right thing and to always put people first," McDonald's North America Chief Impact Officer Michael Gonda and Chief Supply Chain Officer Cesar Piña said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Federal and state officials have repeatedly said that our immediate actions in October made any risk to the public 'very low,' and the risk has remained very low since then," they added. 

Contaminated food products linked to E. Coli have been removed from McDonald's supply chain as of Oct. 22, the company said. No new illnesses have been reported since Oct. 22.

"We know trust is earned, and not given, and we want everyone on this call to know we're working hard to earn our customers' trust back," a McDonald's spokesperson said on Tuesday during a call with reporters.

The burger-and-fries chain has invested $100 million in marketing efforts and franchisee support after the outbreak to help revamp the company's damaged image. McDonald's visits nosedived in the week after the outbreak was announced.

The real number of people infected with E. Coli during the outbreak is likely much higher and could have been from more states, since many recover without being tested for the bacteria or receiving medical care.

A six-year-old girl from Massachusetts died from E. Coli, which her mother believes she contracted after eating a McDonald's cheeseburger before a night of trick-or-treating. Public heath officials have not connected any cases of E. Coli to McDonald's restaurants in Massachusetts or the broader Northeast region, McDonald's USA told The Post.

Dr. Stephen Ostroff, a former deputy commissioner at the FDA who has been consulting with McDonald's on the outbreak, said he understands the girl's diagnosis to be a different type of E. Coli than what was associated with the outbreak.

The bacteria strain linked to the outbreak killed one and infected 104 across 14 states, according to the CDC. Getty Images

Those with reported illnesses – who ranged in age from one to 88 years old – started experiencing symptoms between Sept. 12 and Oct. 21, the CDC said.

Taylor Farms, McDonald's slivered onions supplier in the states impacted by the outbreak, recalled its yellow onions.

On Oct. 22, McDonald's paused sales of its Quarter Pounder burgers and removed onions across 3,000 locations. The company stopped sourcing from both the facility and the farm linked to the onions, and turned to another supplier within the McDonald's system that was able to fill the gap, McDonald's spokespeople said.

Less than a week later, the world's largest fast food chain resumed sales of its Quarter Pounder burgers with a different supplier at approximately 900 locations.

Colorado and Nebraska are the states with the highest number of confirmed cases linked to the McDonald's outbreak. At least 26 people fell ill in Colorado, including one older adult who died, the CDC said. Nebraska has at least nine confirmed cases, the next highest number in a single state.

---