A McDonald's Quarter Pounder, left, and Double Quarter Pounder are shown in a 2018 file photo at an Atlanta location of the restaurant. An E.coli outbreak in the U.S. has been linked to the Quarter Pounder burger. (Mike Stewart/The Associated Press)
At least 49 people across 10 states have fallen ill due to E. coli food poisoning linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers, federal health officials reported on Tuesday. Among those affected, one elderly person in Colorado has died, and a child is currently hospitalized with serious kidney issues.
The infections were recorded between September 27 and October 11 in states including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Colorado has the highest number of cases, totaling 26, followed by Nebraska with nine.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone who was interviewed about the outbreak reported eating at McDonald's prior to getting sick, with many specifically mentioning the Quarter Pounder. Federal and state health agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, are conducting investigations.
So far, no single ingredient has been confirmed as the source of the outbreak. However, investigators are examining onions and beef. A preliminary investigation by the FDA suggests that slivered onions served on the burgers may be the primary source of contamination, while the USDA is looking into the hamburger patties.
In response, McDonald’s stated that early findings indicate the illnesses may be linked to onions from a particular supplier. The company has halted the distribution of these onions and temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder from menus in the affected states, as well as parts of Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. “We take food safety extremely seriously, and it's the right thing to do,” McDonald's emphasized in their statement.
Meanwhile, McDonald's Canada confirmed that none of its locations or menu items are involved in the outbreak.
E. coli bacteria are typically found in the intestines of animals and in the environment. Infections can lead to severe symptoms, such as fever, stomach cramps, and bloody diarrhea. Health experts advise anyone showing symptoms of E. coli poisoning to seek medical attention promptly and inform their healthcare provider about what they consumed.
This outbreak adds to a challenging year for McDonald's, which has seen a decline in global same-store sales for the first time in nearly four years during the second quarter. Many customers, faced with inflation, are opting for cheaper dining options. In response, the fast-food chain introduced a $5 meal deal at U.S. locations in late June, which has since been extended through December; notably, this deal does not include the Quarter Pounder.
Following the CDC’s announcement, McDonald’s shares fell by 9% in after-hours trading. The specific strain of E. coli involved in this outbreak, O157:H7, results in approximately 74,000 infections in the U.S. each year, leading to over 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths. The bacteria pose particular risks to children under five, with potential severe outcomes like acute kidney failure.
