UNITED STATES— The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a food safety alert on Tuesday regarding a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers. At least 49 cases of illness have been reported across ten states, with one fatality noted.
Most of the illnesses are concentrated in Colorado and Nebraska, prompting a swift investigation. Health officials suspect that slivered onions are the likely source of contamination, although no specific ingredient has been definitively confirmed. The CDC described the investigation as “fast-moving,” indicating the urgency with which officials address the outbreak.
In response to the alert, McDonald’s announced that it has removed slivered onions and Quarter Pounder beef patties from its restaurants in affected states, which include Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Customers in other states may find Quarter Pounder burgers unavailable as a precaution.
Currently, ten individuals have been hospitalized due to severe symptoms, which can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Some infections can escalate into more serious health issues, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.
The CDC is working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to trace the source of the outbreak. Preliminary investigations have focused on the slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders, but officials are also examining the beef patties used in these burgers. Notably, diced onions and other beef patties offered at McDonald’s have not been implicated.
Consumers who have recently dined at McDonald’s and are experiencing symptoms of E. coli infection are advised to seek medical attention and report their symptoms to healthcare providers.
The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. McDonald’s has committed to cooperating fully with health authorities to ensure the safety of its customers.
