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 chief supply chain officer, stated that initial investigations suggest a connection between some of the E. coli cases and the slivered onions sourced from a single supplier. Notably, the beef patties in McDonald's burgers are cooked at 175 degrees, which exceeds the 160 degrees needed to eliminate E. coli bacteria.
As a precaution, McDonald's has removed slivered onions and Quarter Pounder patties from affected locations in states including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

Taylor Farms, a California-based produce supplier, announced that it conducted tests on its products and found no traces of E. coli. However, the company removed yellow onions from its Colorado facility out of caution, though it did not confirm whether it supplied any affected McDonald's locations.

So far, a total of 49 E. coli cases linked to the Quarter Pounders have been reported, with the majority occurring in Colorado (26 cases) and Nebraska (9 cases). Health officials have also identified four cases each in Utah and Wyoming, while other affected states include Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, and Wisconsin. At least 10 individuals have been hospitalized, including one child diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.

E. coli infections typically manifest as severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, with most individuals recovering within five to seven days. Symptoms usually appear within a couple of days of exposure, so those who consumed the burgers in September and have not yet fallen ill are likely safe, according to food safety expert Donald Schaffner.
People who ate a Quarter Pounder and are experiencing severe symptoms, such as diarrhea and a fever above 102°F or diarrhea lasting more than three days, should contact their healthcare provider.

This outbreak comes as McDonald's tries to attract customers amid rising food prices, having recently launched a $5 value meal to appeal to budget-conscious consumers. Following the news, McDonald's shares dropped over 5% shortly before market close on Wednesday. This incident is not the first E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's; a similar outbreak associated with salads in 2018 sickened over 500 people across multiple states.