McDonald's Removes Quarter Pounder from Menu at 1 in 5 Locations Amid E. Coli Outbreak

McDonald's has ceased the sale of Quarter Pounder hamburgers at approximately 20% of its U.S. locations due to an E. coli outbreak that has affected nearly 50 individuals across 10 states, resulting in one death. The fast-food chain reported that it sold around 1 million Quarter Pounders during the period when the illnesses occurred, suggesting that if the patties were contaminated, more people would likely have fallen ill. Investigators believe the slivered onions used on the burgers may be the source of the contamination. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked the outbreak to the Quarter Pounders, with many affected individuals reporting consumption of the burgers in states including Colorado and Nebraska. Investigators are working to confirm the exact ingredient responsible for the contamination. Cesar Piña, McDonald's North America