McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers linked to E. coli outbreak

October 22, 2024

McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers and some ingredients will be temporarily unavailable in some states to protect customers after the food was linked to an E. coli outbreak, according to a press release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday.

There has been one reported death due to the outbreak, according to the release. No recall has been issued as of Tuesday afternoon.

There has been a total of 49 cases across 10 states — mostly in Nebraska and Colorado — with 10 cases resulting in hospitalization, the CDC said. Everyone who was interviewed had reported eating McDonald’s — specifically a Quarter Pounder — before getting sick, the released said.

The release noted that one child is hospitalized with complications from the illness.

The CDC said that the specific ingredient linked to the illness has not been identified, but investigators have zeroed in on fresh, slivered onions and fresh beef patties in particular.

The CDC, Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service are investigating the outbreak, the release said.