The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported on Friday that the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has infected 75 individuals. This marks a significant increase in reported cases, prompting health officials to warn that the actual number of infections may be much higher than the figures suggest.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized that the outbreak may extend beyond the states currently reporting illnesses. Initially, there was one confirmed death, along with 49 reported cases of illness, including 10 hospitalizations. Most of the infections have been concentrated in the western and midwestern United States, with the outbreak first detected in Colorado.
Recent investigations have pointed to fresh onions as the potential source of the contamination, rather than the beef itself. The FDA's findings revealed that slivered onions supplied by a single source, Taylor Farms, were used in the affected Quarter Pounders. Out of the 61 individuals for whom information was available, 22 had been hospitalized, with two developing hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure. The strain of E. coli involved is known to cause severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and immunocompromised individuals.
In response to the outbreak, McDonald’s has initiated a voluntary recall of the affected onions and has ceased sourcing from the Taylor Farms facility in Colorado. The company has also removed the Quarter Pounder from its menu at approximately 900 locations across several states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. This affects about 20% of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants. Following the announcement, shares of McDonald’s dropped by 2%.
The CDC noted that many individuals recover from E. coli infections without seeking medical attention, which could lead to underreporting of cases. Additionally, it typically takes three to four weeks to determine if an illness is connected to an outbreak.
To mitigate risks, other fast-food chains are taking precautionary measures. Yum Brands announced it would temporarily remove fresh onions from menus at some of its KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell locations, while Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King, has also eliminated onions from its offerings in at least one outlet in Colorado.
The onset of illnesses linked to the contaminated McDonald's products occurred between September 27 and October 10. Despite the ongoing outbreak, the CDC stated that the immediate risk to the public remains low due to the swift actions taken by McDonald's and Taylor Farms.
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