An outbreak of E. coli linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has sickened at least 49 people across 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One person in Colorado has died, and 10 others have been hospitalized, including a child suffering from severe kidney complications. The infections were reported between Sept. 27 and Oct. 11, with Colorado and Nebraska reporting the most cases.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and state health officials are investigating the outbreak, with preliminary findings suggesting slivered onions served on the Quarter Pounders could be the source of contamination. McDonald’s has responded by halting the distribution of onions from a specific supplier and temporarily removing the Quarter Pounder from menus in affected states.
E. coli O157, the strain responsible for the outbreak, is known to cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms and can be particularly dangerous for young children and older adults. McDonald’s shares dropped 9% following this announcement, marking another challenge for the company amid a difficult financial year.
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