Kristen RidleyThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified slivered onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers as the likely cause of a multistate E. coli outbreak that has now affected 90 people across 13 states.
The outbreak has resulted in 27 hospitalizations and one death, with cases continuing to emerge despite McDonald’s swift response to remove the suspected ingredients from their restaurants[9]. The fast-food chain has ceased its partnership with Taylor Farms, the supplier of the contaminated onions, and has withdrawn the product from its supply chain.
McDonald’s President Joe Erlinger addressed the situation in a video message, expressing regret to customers who may be feeling “ill, scared, or uncertain”. The company plans to reintroduce Quarter Pounders to approximately 900 affected restaurants but without the slivered onions.
Among those affected is 15-year-old Kamberlyn Bowler from Grand Junction, Colorado, who developed serious complications after consuming Quarter Pounders. Bowler was airlifted to a medical facility near Denver, where she underwent dialysis for ten days due to kidney failure. “I was unable to get out of bed. I couldn’t eat or drink. I was living on Popsicles. I felt terrible,” Bowler recounted.
The outbreak has prompted other major restaurant chains, including Burger King and Yum! Brands’ establishments (Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC), to remove slivered onions from their menus indefinitely. The CDC advises anyone experiencing symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, nausea, or dehydration to seek immediate medical attention.
The investigation revealed that the contamination was limited to yellow onions from Taylor Farms, which were distributed exclusively to restaurants and did not reach retail grocery stores. Testing conducted by the Colorado Department of Agriculture confirmed that the beef patties used in the Quarter Pounders were not contaminated with E. coli.
Citations:
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/investigation-update-e-coli-o157-2024.html
[2] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgejj4l09djo
[3] https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/27/mcdonalds-quarter-pounder-burgers-to-return-to-restaurants-affected-by-e-coli-outbreak.html
[4] https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html
[5] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/mcdonalds-quarter-pounder-beef-patties-not-source-e-coli-outbreak-comp-rcna177516
[6] https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-mcdonalds-quarter-pounders-october-2024
[7] https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/jpmorgan-chase-starts-suing-customers-allegedly-stole-funds-atm-glitch-scam-went-viral
[8] https://www.investopedia.com/jpmorgan-sues-customers-for-infinite-money-glitch-8735589
[9] https://qz.com/cdc-e-coli-outbreak-mcdonalds-slivered-onions-recall-1851686510
[10] https://www.today.com/health/news/teen-hospitalized-mcdonalds-quarter-pounder-e-coli-rcna177820
[11] https://apnews.com/article/mcdonalds-e-coli-food-poisoning-acb6d87f6182b42295d16625480525b0
Kristen Ridley
