An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has resulted in a recall, following one death and multiple hospitalizations across the United States.
At a Glance
- E. coli found in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders caused one death and 49 illnesses.
- 49 cases reported across 10 states with high numbers in Colorado.
- Slivered onions from a specific supplier identified as potential contamination source.
- McDonald’s stock dropped 10% post-outbreak announcement.
E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders
An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has resulted in one death and 49 illnesses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated. The impact spans ten states, with Colorado reporting the highest number of cases. Patients have endured high fever, persistent diarrhea, and severe vomiting. Hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney disease, has developed in a child in Colorado.
McDonald’s has taken immediate action, halting the use of slivered onions in several states on suspicion of contamination. The CDC emphasized the serious nature of the matter, describing how one person has already died and some 49 others fallen ill after consuming the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger.
E. COLI OUTBREAK: CDC is investigating 49 illnesses in 10 states linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. If you ate a Quarter Pounder hamburger from McDonald’s and have severe symptoms of E. coli, contact your healthcare provider. https://t.co/g87itkupCQ pic.twitter.com/gHzUKCnTi9
— CDC (@CDCgov) October 22, 2024
Investigation and Implications
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is actively examining if hamburger patties are another source of contamination. This swift investigation was spurred by the unusual spike in E. coli cases on October 10, prompting the CDC to intervene on October 15.
“This is a fast-moving outbreak investigation,” the CDC stated, highlighting the urgency in addressing the issue.
Slivered onions have also been a challenging part of the investigation, as they are difficult to grow cleanly and have been implicated in past food-borne outbreaks. Federal health officials are further evaluating the distribution of onions beyond McDonald’s to understand the full scope. In the attached video, additional details about the investigation can be found.
Federal health officials announced on Tuesday that an investigation is underway into the "fast-moving outbreak" involvingMcDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger.https://t.co/vFDWBTRzJu
— KATV News (@KATVNews) October 23, 2024
Maybe avoid the golden arches for a little while…
