75 People Affected in Multi-State E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders

Credit: Unsplash

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that a recent E. coli outbreak has affected 75 people across 13 states, all linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. The outbreak has resulted in 22 hospitalizations and one reported fatality, a Colorado resident. The CDC and federal agencies are investigating both the Quarter Pounder beef patties and slivered onions as possible sources.

Out of the 42 people interviewed by the CDC, 39 reported eating a McDonald’s beef hamburger. Those affected range in age from 13 to 88, and cases are expected to increase as more reports come in. The CDC noted that cases may be underreported, as some individuals recover without medical care or testing.

McDonald’s has responded by temporarily removing Quarter Pounder burgers from menus in affected states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The fast-food giant has also instructed these locations to suspend the use of slivered onions supplied by California-based Taylor Farms. Taylor Farms has since recalled four raw onion products due to potential E. coli contamination, prompting other major chains to remove certain onion-based items from menus as a precaution.

The CDC warns that this outbreak may not be isolated to these states and encourages anyone with recent symptoms to seek medical advice. McDonald’s, working closely with federal authorities, is committed to identifying the source and containing further cases. The company has also informed investors of the impact on operations ahead of its third-quarter earnings call next week.