Health officials say an outbreak of E. coli bacteria connected to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has sickened dozens across the United States. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that at least 49 people in 10 states have become infected, although most reported cases are in Colorado and Nebraska.
Many who took ill reported consuming the Quarter Pounder before they became sick. The exact ingredient that has caused the outbreak remains to be investigated by the health authorities. “McDonald’s is cooperating with investigation partners to identify which food ingredient in Quarter Pounders is causing illness,” the CDC said in a statement.
While investigating this outbreak, McDonald’s has halted sales of fresh slivered onions and Quarter Pounder beef patties in several states. This is a precautionary measure to reduce risk.
Following the outbreak, McDonald’s stock tumbled, shedding about 9 percent of its value in extended trading. In a video statement, Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA, reassured consumers that most menu items and most states weren’t affected. “Food safety means everything to me and everyone at McDonald’s,” Erlinger said.
Erlinger said the company is taking proactive steps to remove the slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder from select states and from those locations.
The outbreak comes at a particularly awkward moment for the fast-food giant. In July, McDonald’s revealed its first decline in quarterly same-store sales since 2019 because of everything from soaring inflation to perceived brand problems, including handling the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
CEO Chris Kempczinski mentioned that 2025 might be another challenging year for the firm, with affordability considerations for lower-income customers.
