An E. coli food outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has reportedly killed one person and hospitalized at least ten people in different states. In a press release on October 22, 2024, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) described the situation as a “fast-moving outbreak,” adding that they were investigating the infection. CDC noted that most infected people reported eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers before becoming sick.
CDC said one older person in Colorado died before noting most illnesses stemmed from Colorado and Nebraska. CDC revealed the first illness was reported on September 27, 2024. As of October 22, at least 49 people have reported being ill.
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Colorado was the worst-infected area, with at least 26 people reporting feeling ill. Nine people have reported experiencing symptoms of an E. coli infection in Nebraska. Utah and Wyoming have recorded infections in four people each. Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin have reported at least one person manifesting symptoms of an E. coli infection.
What is the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers?
According to the CDC, Escherichia coli or E. coli is a bacteria found in the intestines of human beings, animals, the environment, foods, and water. While E. coli is part of a healthy intestinal tract that helps digest food, produce vitamins, and protect from harmful germs, some bacteria strains can cause food poisoning and lead to symptoms such as diarrhea. This can occur with bacteria ingested through contaminated food or water. The E. coli bacteria strain linked to the recent infections is unclear.
CDC said the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pound burgers showed symptoms such as diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F. A few people had diarrhea for over three days and some experienced bloody diarrhea. Infected people also experienced nausea, dizziness, dehydration, and dry mouth.
CDC said McDonald’s stopped using quarter-pound beef patties and fresh slivered onions in several states while they investigated the source of the outbreak. The two ingredients are used only in quarter-pound hamburgers. Investigators are reportedly exploring the outbreak's source, including the ingredient in the hamburgers that made people sick.
CDC reported that McDonald's was working hand in hand with investigators to establish the contaminated ingredient.
Meanwhile, in a statement, McDonald's officials said preliminary investigations suggest some illnesses were linked to onions sourced from a single supplier. While the supplier was unidentified, officials revealed they serve three distribution centers. The statement read:
"We take food safety extremely seriously and it's the right thing to do. Impacted restaurants are receiving a stock recovery notice today [Tuesday] and should reach out to their field supply chain manager or distribution center with any questions.”
CDC said people experiencing symptoms of the outbreak should contact health officials. In 2018, a strain of E. coli bacteria sickened at least 210 people across 36 states. The outbreak was linked to Romaine lettuce from Arizona.
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