Mcdonald’s reassures customers its safe to order despite E. coli outbreak associated with Quarter Pounder hamburgers. The outbreak has affected 49 people in 10 states, resulting in one fatality. Investigations point to raw onions on Quarter Pounders as the likely contamination source. To address the issue, Mcdonald’s is seeking a new onion supplier and temporarily removing Quarter Pounders from some U.S. menus.
The company has been collaborating with food safety regulators since the outbreak was detected. The CDC reported infections from late September to early October across multiple states, with one fatality in Colorado. McDonald’s serves 1 million Quarter Pounders in affected areas every two weeks, making it challenging to pinpoint the source.
Despite the incident, Mcdonald’s upholds strict food safety practices and maintains cooperation with authorities. Customers are advised to seek immediate medical help if they show signs of E. coli poisoning. The company continues to work closely with the government to resolve the issue.
As a precautionary measure, McDonald’s has removed Quarter Pounders from some menus and is actively seeking a new onion supplier to prevent future outbreaks.
Mcdonald’s shares experienced a 4.5% decline in early trading following the announcement.
AP Health Writer JoNel Aleccia contributed from Temecula, California.