AT LEAST one person has died and ten people have been hospitalized after an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.
Dozens of customers across ten states have become sick after eating from McDonald’s restaurants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Tuesday.
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More than half of the 49 reportedly affected are in Colorado, with a further nine in neighboring Nebraska.
The first reported case occurred on September 27.
The customer who died hasn’t been named but is believed to be an “older” person from Colorado.
McDonald’s has stopped using fresh slivered onions and beef patties in Quarter Pounders following the possible E coli contamination across several states.
It has also paused sales of Quarter Pounders in affected states, although other menu items are unaffected.
The company’s stock price dropped following news of the outbreak.
“Everyone interviewed has reported eating at McDonald’s before their illness started, and most specifically mentioned eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger,” the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) alert reads in part.
“The specific ingredient linked to illness has not yet been identified, but investigators are focused on two ingredients in particular: fresh, slivered onions, and fresh beef patties.”
Investigations are ongoing.
“If you have severe symptoms of E. coli infection after eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s, seek health care and tell your provider about what you ate,” the alert goes on.
Symptoms of E. coli include diarrhea, a fever higher than 102F, severe vomiting, and dehydration.
The CDC warns that the total number of cases is unlikely to have been reported as “it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”
The outbreak started on September 27.
Affected states include Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The CDC tells people to call your state’s health department if you have questions about case numbers.
Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA put out a video statement on Tuesday evening in response to the outbreak.
“I wanted to take a minute to provide you with an update that we’re communicating broadly, because food safety is so important to me and everyone at McDonald’s,” he said.
“Today, after close consultation with regulatory authorities, including the CDC, USDA, and FDA, we’ve taken steps to proactively remove slivered onions, which are used in Quarter Pounders, from restaurants in select states.
“We also made the decision to temporarily remove the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in select states.”
McDonald’s E. coli outbreak
McDonald’s North America Chief Supply Chain Officer Cesar Piña issued the following statement in response to the E. coli outbreak that has killed one and left 49 sick.
“Across the McDonald’s System, serving customers safely in every single restaurant, each and every day, is our top priority and something we’ll never compromise on.
“It is why we are taking swift and decisive action following an E. Coli outbreak in certain states. The initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers. As a result, and in line with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply and we have paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are also temporarily removing the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in the impacted area, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. We take food safety extremely seriously and it’s the right thing to do. Impacted restaurants are receiving a stock recovery notice today and should reach out to their field supply chain manager or distribution center with any questions.
“We are working in close partnership with our suppliers to replenish supply for the Quarter Pounder in the coming weeks (timing will vary by local market). In the meantime, all other menu items, including other beef products (including the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble and the Double Cheeseburger) are unaffected and available. We will continue to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are committed to providing timely updates as we restore our full menu.
He stressed that “the majority of states and the majority of menu items are not affected,” and that other beef products including the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble, and Double Cheeseburger hadn’t been impacted.
The U.S. Sun has approached McDonald’s for comment.
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