E. Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder Leads to One Death, Dozens Sickened Across U.S.

A deadly E. coli outbreak tied to McDonald’s popular Quarter Pounder hamburgers has claimed one life and left dozens of others ill across 10 U.S. states, with Colorado being the hardest hit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that 49 people have been affected, with 26 cases in Colorado alone. Ten individuals have been hospitalized due to severe infections caused by the E. coli O157 strain

Strain

The outbreak has sparked concerns over McDonald’s food safety standards, especially regarding its Quarter Pounder. Investigations are focused on two potential sources of contamination: fresh slivered onions and fresh beef patties, both used in the Quarter Pounder and distributed by a single supplier serving three distribution centers. As a precaution, McDonald’s has voluntarily removed these ingredients from its restaurants in the affected regions, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming.

The E. coli O157

strain is notorious for causing serious illness. This strain was also responsible for the infamous 1993 Jack in the Box outbreak, which resulted in the deaths of four children. Foodborne illness lawyer Bill Marler, who represented a victim from the 1993 case, warns that more illnesses could still emerge from this McDonald’s outbreak.

The CDC’s investigation revealed that every person interviewed had consumed McDonald’s food before falling ill, with most reporting eating the Quarter Pounder specifically. Although no definitive ingredient has been confirmed as the source of contamination, McDonald’s is working with suppliers to ensure the safety of its products. The fast-food giant has also temporarily halted the sale of Quarter Pounders in the impacted states while the investigation continues.

McDonald’s, the world’s largest fast-food chain, saw its shares dip by 6% following news of the outbreak. Industry experts are predicting that the incident could also impact U.S. cattle futures by reducing demand for beef. Meanwhile, concerns about potential lawsuits loom as McDonald’s grapples with the fallout from this public health crisis.

E. coli symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, with symptoms typically appearing three to four days after exposure. The CDC has advised customers who have recently consumed McDonald’s Quarter Pounders in the affected states to be vigilant for signs of illness.

The E. coli outbreak in McDonald’s recalls the food safety issues faced by Chipotle in 2015, which severely damaged the burrito chain’s sales and reputation. Like Chipotle’s outbreak, McDonald’s is now facing scrutiny over its food safety practices as the CDC continues its investigation.

Affected states include Colorado, Nebraska, Utah, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Montana. McDonald’s has expressed its commitment to cooperating fully with health officials to resolve the issue and restore customer confidence.