On Sunday, McDonald’s announced that it will be bringing back the Quarter Pounder to the menus of hundreds of its restaurants after tests ruled out beef patties as the source of an E. coli outbreak linked to the popular burgers. This outbreak has tragically resulted in one death and sickened at least 75 others across 13 states.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to believe that slivered onions from a single supplier are the likely source of the contamination, according to McDonald’s statement. The fast-food giant stated it will resume selling the Quarter Pounder at affected locations — without slivered onions — in the upcoming week.
As of Friday, federal health officials reported that the outbreak had expanded to at least 75 people sick in 13 states. A total of 22 individuals were hospitalized, and two developed a serious kidney disease complication, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One person has died in Colorado.
Investigating the Source of Contamination
Early information analyzed by the FDA indicated that uncooked slivered onions used on the burgers “are a likely source of contamination,” the agency stated. McDonald’s confirmed that Taylor Farms, a California-based produce company, supplied the fresh onions used in the restaurants involved in the outbreak, originating from a facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
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McDonald’s initially pulled the Quarter Pounder from menus in several states — primarily in the Midwest and Mountain regions — when the outbreak was announced on Tuesday. The company noted on Friday that slivered onions from the Colorado Springs facility had been distributed to approximately 900 of its restaurants, including some in transportation hubs like airports.
The company stated it removed slivered onions sourced from that facility from its supply chain on Tuesday. McDonald’s has decided to stop sourcing onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility “indefinitely.”
Testing and Results
Testing by the Colorado Department of Agriculture ruled out beef patties as the source of the outbreak, according to McDonald’s. The department received multiple lots of fresh and frozen beef patties collected from various Colorado McDonald’s locations associated with the E. coli investigation. All samples were found to be negative for E. coli, the department confirmed.
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Taylor Farms announced on Friday that it had preemptively recalled yellow onions sent to its customers from its Colorado facility and is continuing to work with the CDC and FDA as they investigate the outbreak. While it remains uncertain whether the recalled onions were the actual source of the outbreak, several other fast-food chains — including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Burger King — have pulled onions from certain menus in specific areas this week.
Outbreak Statistics
Colorado has reported the highest number of illnesses as of Friday, with 26 cases. At least 13 people were sickened in Montana, 11 in Nebraska, five each in New Mexico and Utah, four each in Missouri and Wyoming, two in Michigan, and one each in Iowa, Kansas, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Washington, according to the CDC.
McDonald’s indicated on Friday that it did not withdraw the Quarter Pounder from any additional restaurants and noted that some cases in states outside the original area were linked to travel. The CDC reported that some individuals who became ill had traveled to other states before their symptoms began. At least three people stated they ate at McDonald’s during their travels. Illnesses were reported between September 27 and October 11.
E. Coli and Health Risks
The outbreak involves infections with E. coli 0157, a type of bacteria that produces a dangerous toxin. It causes about 74,000 infections in the U.S. annually, leading to more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths each year, according to the CDC. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning can appear quickly, within a day or two of consuming contaminated food. They typically include fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, and signs of dehydration — such as little or no urination, increased thirst, and dizziness.
This incident not only raises concerns about food safety but also poses critical questions regarding the responsibility of large food chains in ensuring their products do not harm consumers. McDonald’s, with its global reputation, must act swiftly to regain customer trust. At the same time, regulatory agencies must strengthen their efforts to investigate and address food safety issues comprehensively. Only then can consumers feel confident in choosing products from such fast-food chains.
