FILE – A sign is displayed at a McDonald’s restaurant in Albany, Oregon, on April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

An outbreak of deadly E. coli poisoning tied to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders is growing, sickening at least 75 people in 13 states, federal health officials said Friday.

A total of 22 people were hospitalized, and two developed a dangerous complication of kidney disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. One person died in Colorado.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials said a definitive source of the outbreak has not been determined. Initial information analyzed by the FDA showed that uncooked sliced ​​onions were used in the burgers. “A possible source of contamination” the agency said.

McDonald’s confirmed that Taylor Farms, a California-based produce company, was the supplier of the scallions used at restaurants involved in the outbreak and that they came from a facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“We have decided to indefinitely suspend the supply of onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility.” McDonald’s said in a statement released late Friday.

Taylor Farms said Friday that it is preemptively recalling yellow onions shipped to customers from its Colorado facility and continues to work with the CDC and FDA during the investigation.

“It saddens us to see the illnesses and the individuals and families affected.” Family business, since the epidemic

When the outbreak was announced Tuesday, McDonald’s removed its Quarter Pounder burger from menus in several states, mostly in the Midwest and Mountain states. McDonald’s said Friday that slivers of onions from its Colorado Springs facility were distributed to about 900 of its restaurants, including some at transportation hubs such as airports.

The new cases reported Friday were a sharp increase from the original count of 49 across 10 states. Most of the illnesses were reported in Colorado, with 26 cases. At least 13 in Montana, 11 in Nebraska, five each in New Mexico and Utah, four in Missouri and Wyoming, two in Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, Oregon, Wisconsin and Washington, the CDC reported. one person each fell ill.

McDonald’s said Friday that the CDC has not pulled the Quarter Pounder from any restaurants due to an increase in the number of illnesses. The company noted that some cases in states outside the original region were linked to travel.

The CDC said some people who got sick reported traveling to other states before their symptoms began. At least three people said they ate at McDonald’s during their travels. The illnesses were reported between September 27 and October 11.

Taylor Farms notified customers directly about the onion recall but did not disclose it publicly, an FDA official said. Companies often issue press releases and the FDA issues public notices of recalls, but these are not required.

While it remains unclear whether the recalled onions were the source of the outbreak, some other fast food restaurants, including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King, removed the onions from some menus in certain regions this week.

Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, said 5% of its restaurants use whole onions distributed by Taylor Farms’ Colorado facility. It is washed, peeled and sliced ​​by employees.

Restaurant Brands said it has asked restaurants that receive onions from the Colorado facility to get rid of the onions, even though it has not been contacted by health officials and there are no signs of illness.

The outbreak involves infections with E. coli 0157:H7, a type of bacteria that produces a dangerous toxin. It causes about 74,000 infections annually in the United States, leading to more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths each year, according to the CDC.

People who got sick during the outbreak have already taken action to sue McDonald’s, according to court records. According to her lawsuit, Clarissa DeBock ate food from a local McDonald’s in Nebraska on Sept. 18, fell ill on Sept. 23, and sought emergency care two days later before being diagnosed with an E. coli infection.

Symptoms of E. coli poisoning can appear rapidly within a day or two after consuming contaminated food. These usually include fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, and signs of dehydration (little or no urination, increased thirst, and dizziness). The infection is especially dangerous for children under 5 years of age, the elderly, pregnant women, or people with weakened immune systems.

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AP business reporter Dee-Ann Durbin contributed reporting from Detroit.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Education Media Group. AP is solely responsible for all content.