The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that McDonald’s Quarter Pounder sandwiches are linked to an outbreak of E. coli in the United States.
So far, 49 people across 10 states have fallen ill, with 10 hospitalizations and one death reported.
The CDC said that most of the cases were found in western and Midwest states. The outbreak is believed to be caused by E. coli bacteria, which can cause serious stomach issues.
The CDC is working with McDonald’s to figure out which ingredients are responsible.
“McDonald’s has pulled ingredients for these burgers, and they won’t be available for sale in some states,” said the CDC. They also noted that McDonald’s has already stopped using fresh slivered onions and Quarter Pounder beef patties in several states as a precaution.
The CDC suspects that the slivered onions may be the cause of the contamination, and the Food and Drug Administration is investigating whether these onions were sold to other businesses. No official recalls have been made yet.
The first case was reported on September 27, and the affected individuals range in age from 13 to 88. One person developed a serious condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney failure. Sadly, an elderly person in Colorado died after eating at McDonald’s.
In response to the outbreak, McDonald’s stated, “We take food safety extremely seriously and it’s the right thing to do.” They confirmed that the slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounders came from a single supplier. The company has removed these onions from local restaurants and paused their shipments.
Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA, reassured customers, saying, “At McDonald’s, you can count on us to do the right thing.” Other beef products remain on the menu.
This is not the first time McDonald’s has faced an E. coli issue. In 2022, six children in Alabama got sick after eating Chicken McNuggets. Four of them were hospitalized, and inspectors later found violations at the restaurant.
Symptoms of E. Coli infection include stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. It can take a few days for symptoms to appear after infection.
