A severe outbreak of E. coli linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has resulted in one death and dozens of illnesses, as confirmed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday.
The outbreak, which began in late September, has affected individuals across many western states, with the majority of the 49 reported cases concentrated in Colorado and Nebraska.
In response to this, the shares of McDonald’s decreased by more than six per cent in after-hours trading. Among the reported illnesses, ten individuals have been hospitalised, including a child diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney damage.
According to the CDC, all affected individuals tested positive for the same strain of E. coli and reported consuming Quarter Pounders before showing symptoms.
Moreover, investigators are focusing their efforts on slivered onions and beef patties as potential sources of contamination, both of which have been removed from affected locations pending further investigation.
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Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, acknowledged the seriousness of food safety in a video message, stating, “We’ve taken steps to proactively remove slivered onions, which are used in Quarter Pounders, in select states. We’ve also decided to temporarily remove the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in select states.”
Erlinger highlighted that while the outbreak has impacted specific regions, other menu items, including alternative beef products, remain available in unaffected states.
The CDC has urged anyone who consumed a Quarter Pounder and is experiencing symptoms—such as diarrhea, a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9°C), and vomiting—to seek immediate medical attention.
