McDonald’s is in hot water after a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to its popular Quarter Pounders sickened nearly 50 people across 10 states, with one death reported. The fast-food giant is pulling the menu item from affected areas as the CDC tries to determine the source of contamination.
What Happened?
On October 22, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that a severe E. coli outbreak was traced back to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers, particularly in Colorado and Nebraska.
The outbreak has affected 49 people, sending 10 to the hospital, including a child, and causing the death of one elderly person. While still not confirmed, experts are pointing to slivered onions and fresh beef patties as the likely sources of contamination.
McDonald’s Response
The company, while in full damage-control mode, assures customers that it’s completely safe to eat at the fast food restaurant.
“We are very confident that you can go to McDonald’s and enjoy our classics,” Joe Erlinger, McDonald’s USA President, said on NBC’s “Today” Wednesday. “I want to say to our consumers that you can confidently go to McDonald’s today.”
McDonald’s has also pulled Quarter Pounders from shelves in four states, including Colorado, and parts of eight other states. Cesar Piña, McDonald’s North America supply chain officer, stated the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution.” “We take food safety extremely seriously,” Piña said in a statement.
Which States Are Affected?
The outbreak has hit 10 states so far, with Colorado being the hardest hit, reporting 26 cases.
Below is the full list of affected states, according to the CDC.
- Oregon (1 case)
- Montana (1 case)
- Utah (4 cases)
- Wyoming (4 cases)
- Colorado (26 cases)
- Nebraska (9 cases)
- Kansas (1 case)
- Missouri (1 case)
- Iowa (1 case)
- Wisconsin (1 case)
What If I Ate a Quarter Pounder?
The CDC has confirmed that everyone impacted by the outbreak tested positive for the O157 strain of E. coli. If you’ve recently eaten a Quarter Pounder and are experiencing symptoms like stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, seek medical attention right away and let your healthcare provider know about the meal.
Symptoms of E. coli
Symptoms of E. coli infection typically include stomach cramps, diarrhea (which can be bloody), vomiting, and fever. These usually appear within 3-4 days of exposure. Most people recover within a week, but in more serious cases, especially in young children and the elderly, it can lead to kidney complications, known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which may require hospitalization.
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McDonald’s Stock Takes a Hit
News of the E. coli outbreak sent McDonald’s stock tumbling, with shares plummeting 8% in premarket trading—its worst day since March 2020 when the world went into Covid lockdown. By the start of trading on Wednesday, the company’s shares were still down more than 6%.
