A troubling E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's popular Quarter Pounder sandwiches has been reported across the United States, prompting health officials to issue a food safety alert.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Tuesday that they have recorded 49 cases of illness in ten states, with one confirmed death and several hospitalizations.
The outbreak, which began on September 27, has affected states including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The CDC reported that ten individuals required hospitalisation, with one person suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe complication that can lead to kidney failure. The deceased individual was described as an older adult from Colorado.
The CDC is currently investigating the source of the contamination, with early indications suggesting that slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounders may be the culprit. McDonald's has already taken precautionary measures by removing slivered onions and quarter-pound beef patties from the menus of affected locations.
The fast-food giant has also paused shipments of slivered onions to several states and stated that the sandwich will temporarily be unavailable in some regions.
In a statement, McDonald's acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing its commitment to food safety. "We take food safety extremely seriously, and it’s the right thing to do," the company said, while assuring customers that other beef products remain available.
McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger reiterated this commitment in a video message, emphasizing the company's dedication to the health and safety of its customers.
While the CDC has not issued a formal recall, they continue to work with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to trace the source of the contaminated onions, which were sourced from a single supplier servicing three distribution centres. Investigators are also examining whether the onions were supplied to any other businesses.
E. coli, a diverse group of bacteria that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness, can be contracted through contaminated food, unpasteurized milk, or contaminated water.
Symptoms typically manifest between three to four days after exposure and may include severe abdominal cramps, diarrhoea (which can be bloody), vomiting, and fever. Most healthy adults recover within a week; however, children and older adults are at greater risk for severe complications.
This incident marks not the first time McDonald's has faced an E. coli outbreak. In 2022, six children in Alabama fell ill after consuming chicken McNuggets, with several hospitalizations following the incident.
