The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Friday that an E. coli outbreak traced to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has led to 75 reported cases across 13 states, including 22 hospitalizations and one death of an older adult in Colorado. The outbreak has prompted recalls and halted sales of Quarter Pounders in affected regions.
According to the CDC, of the 61 patients with detailed information, two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure. All 42 individuals interviewed reported eating at McDonald’s, with 39 specifying a beef hamburger, reinforcing a strong link between the outbreak and the chain’s Quarter Pounder burger.
The age range of those affected spans from 13 to 88, and the CDC warns that the true number of cases may be higher, as many people recover from E. coli infections without formal testing or treatment. Moreover, it can take several weeks for health officials to determine if an individual’s illness is part of an outbreak.
This new tally of cases comes just days after the CDC’s initial announcement on Tuesday, which reported 49 cases in 10 states. McDonald’s stock has dropped by approximately 6% since the CDC’s announcement.
Investigators have identified slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounders as a potential source of contamination. As a result, McDonald’s has instructed stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma to temporarily remove both slivered onions and Quarter Pounder beef patties from menus.
The onions are sourced from California-based Taylor Farms, which recently issued a recall on several raw onion products due to potential E. coli risks. Federal agencies are also investigating the Quarter Pounder’s beef patties to determine if they may be contributing to the outbreak.
With roughly 20% of McDonald’s U.S. restaurants affected, Quarter Pounders have been pulled from menus in the impacted areas as health officials work to pinpoint the cause and prevent further spread of the infection.
