An E. coli food poisoning outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has resulted in at least 49 illnesses across 10 states, including one fatality and ten hospitalizations, federal health officials reported Tuesday.
The tragic death occurred in an elderly individual in Colorado, while a child has been hospitalized with severe complications affecting kidney function, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC noted that infections were recorded between September 27 and October 11, in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The highest number of cases were in Colorado, with 26 people affected, followed by Nebraska with nine.
All of the individuals interviewed in relation to the outbreak reported dining at McDonald’s before becoming ill, with the majority specifically mentioning the Quarter Pounder hamburger. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and state health officials are actively investigating the matter.
Though a precise ingredient has not yet been pinpointed as the cause, investigators have honed in on onions and beef. A preliminary investigation by the FDA indicates that slivered onions served on the burgers are likely the source of contamination. Concurrently, the USDA is examining the hamburger patties for possible issues.
In response, McDonald’s officials indicated that initial findings suggest illnesses are linked to onions from a single supplier. Consequently, the company has halted the distribution of the slivered onions and temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder from menus in the affected states, along with parts of Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
“We take food safety extremely seriously and it’s the right thing to do,” McDonald’s stated.
E. coli bacteria, which reside in the intestines of animals and can be found in the environment, can cause severe illness with symptoms including fever, stomach cramps, and bloody diarrhea. Those experiencing symptoms of E. coli poisoning should seek medical attention immediately and inform healthcare providers about their recent food consumption.
This outbreak adds to an already difficult year for McDonald’s, headquartered in Chicago. The company reported a decline in global same-store sales for the first time in nearly four years during the second quarter, as cost-conscious consumers opted to dine out less or choose cheaper alternatives. In response, McDonald’s introduced a $5 meal deal at U.S. restaurants late in June, which has been extended through December but notably does not include the Quarter Pounder. Following the CDC’s announcement, McDonald’s shares plummeted 9% in after-hours trading on Tuesday.
The E. coli strain implicated in this outbreak, O157:H7, is responsible for approximately 74,000 infections in the U.S. each year, resulting in over 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths. Children under the age of 5 are particularly vulnerable, as the infection can lead to acute kidney failure.