'Abundance of caution': KFC, Pizza Hut to pull onions from menu following McDonald's E Coli scare

Fast-food chains KFC and Pizza Hut have decided to remove onions from their food items after a recent E Coli outbreak associated with McDonald's restaurants across US.
According to report in Newsweek, at least 10 people were hospitalised and one person in Colorado has died following E coli (Escherichia coli) infections linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers.
In response to the outbreak, KFC and Pizza Hut, both owned by Yum! Brands, decided to remove onions from specific items on their menus as a precautionary measure. The removal of onions is expected to impact popular menu items that incorporate fresh onions at KFC, as well as Pizza Hut's salads and specialty pizzas.
In an emailed statement to Bloomberg, as reported by Business Insider, Yum! Brands said it had made the decision out of an "abundance of caution."
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 49 cases of E.coli have been reported in connection with McDonald's in 10 states. Health authorities, including the CDC, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and local public health officials in multiple states, are investigating the outbreak.
According to news agency Associated Press, Taylor Farms, a California-based produce company, was identified as the source of fresh onions linked to the deadly E coli food poisoning outbreak at McDonald's. The company sent onions to one distribution facility, which led the fast-food chain to remove Quarter Pounder hamburgers from restaurants in several states. US Foods announced a recall of four raw onion products, supplied by Taylor Farms, due to potential contamination with the dangerous bacteria.
Health authorities advise consumers to be mindful of potential symptoms associated with E coli, which can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. As brands across the fast-food industry respond to the potential risk, customers are encouraged to check online updates about affected menu items and to seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms related to E coli exposure.