E. Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders Sparks Investigation Across Multiple States

Federal and state organizations are investigating an E. coli O157 outbreak potentially linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. Fresh beef patties and slivered onions in these burgers are under scrutiny. McDonald’s has paused sales of affected products in regions where illnesses have been reported.

FDA, CDC, and USDA Investigate McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, Focusing on Slivered Onions and Fresh Beef

On October 22, 2024, a coalition of federal, state, and local organizations announced an investigation into reports of E. coli O157 infections across multiple states. In a preliminary statement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that while no ingredient has been definitively linked to the outbreak, many affected reported consuming a McDonald's Quarter Pounder.

According to Chowhound, the FDA is leading the investigation in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), according to a release shared with Chowhound.

McDonald's responded by temporarily halting slivered onions and fresh beef patties found in Quarter Pounders. However, the company emphasized that other items on its menu, such as diced onions and flash-frozen patties used in other burgers, still need to be implicated. Quarter Pounders are distinct in using fresh beef and slivered onions, while other McDonald's burgers, like the classic hamburger, use frozen patties and diced onions. The FDA indicated that more updates will follow as the investigation progresses.

Preliminary data from reports of illnesses and traceback and distribution information point to slivered onions as a potential source of contamination. The fresh beef used in the Quarter Pounder and its variations, such as the Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Quarter Pounder with Cheese Bacon, Quarter Pounder Deluxe, and Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, is also under scrutiny. The FSIS is conducting additional traceback analysis on the patties to determine if they are also linked to the outbreak.

McDonald’s Halts Quarter Pounder Sales in Multiple States Amid E. Coli Outbreak Concerns

Cases of illness have been reported in several states, leading McDonald's in those regions to stop serving the affected patties and onions. The impacted states include Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and parts of Idaho. However, no further details have been provided about the number of reported illnesses or the conditions of those affected.

E. coli, specifically Escherichia coli O157, can cause severe human symptoms. According to the FDA, common symptoms of infection include diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, E. coli infections can be life-threatening and lead to complications such as kidney failure. Symptoms typically begin within a few days of consuming contaminated food, as the Mayo Clinic outlines.

The FDA advises anyone who has eaten a quarter of a pound in the past week in the affected states and is experiencing symptoms to contact their healthcare provider. It is essential to inform the provider of what you ate, when, and from which McDonald's location. If you still have a recently purchased Quarter Pounder, the FDA recommends safely discarding it to avoid potential risks.