McDonald’s has temporarily pulled its iconic Quarter Pounder from the menu at about one-fifth of its U.S. restaurants following an E. coli outbreak that has affected nearly 50 people across 10 states. The decision came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) connected the outbreak to the popular burger, which has been a staple at the fast-food chain for decades.
The CDC reported that 49 people have fallen ill after eating the Quarter Pounder, with 10 requiring hospitalization and one person tragically losing their life. Most of the reported cases occurred in Colorado and Nebraska, where the majority of the affected customers were identified. According to the CDC, all individuals interviewed reported eating at McDonald’s before feeling sick, and many specifically mentioned consuming a Quarter Pounder.
The illnesses reportedly began in late September, with the most recent case occurring on October 11. The CDC has been working closely with McDonald’s to pinpoint the source of the contamination. While the investigation is ongoing, the focus has turned to raw slivered onions, which are used as toppings on the Quarter Pounder.
Cesar Piña, McDonald’s North America chief supply chain officer, revealed that the investigation has been narrowed down to fresh slivered onions, which were sourced from a single supplier. These onions served raw on the Quarter Pounder, may be the culprit behind the E. coli outbreak. If confirmed, it would mark the first instance of onions carrying this particular strain of E. coli.
The chain has already removed the potentially contaminated onions from restaurants in affected areas, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The company has paused distribution of the ingredient until further notice while it works with suppliers to ensure food safety standards are met.
“Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our customers,” said Piña. “We are actively investigating this issue alongside federal health officials to address the source and prevent further incidents.”
The company estimates that around 1 million Quarter Pounders were sold during the timeframe linked to the outbreak. In response to the crisis, McDonald’s has ceased serving the burger at roughly 20% of its locations while it focuses on determining the cause and ensuring the safety of its ingredients. Other popular menu items, such as the Cheeseburger, Big Mac, McDouble, and Double Cheeseburger, remain unaffected and are still available.
“We have a robust food safety process in place, and this is an isolated incident,” McDonald’s spokesperson said. “We’re doing everything we can to replenish the Quarter Pounder with safe ingredients and bring it back to our loyal customers as soon as possible.”
Following news of the outbreak, McDonald’s faced backlash from investors, leading to a nearly 7% drop in its stock price on Wednesday. This marked the company’s worst single-day performance since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Concerns over food safety and the possibility of wider implications have led to comparisons with Chipotle’s food safety crisis in 2015, which resulted in heavy fines and a long recovery period.
BTIG analyst Peter Saleh cautioned against drawing premature parallels to Chipotle’s situation, emphasizing that McDonald’s swift action and cooperation with health authorities may help contain the issue. “It’s important to see how McDonald’s addresses the outbreak and whether any additional issues arise before making comparisons,” Saleh said.
E. coli infections can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. While most people recover within five to seven days, some cases can lead to more serious complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure. The CDC advises anyone who recently ate a Quarter Pounder and experiences symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, high fever, or prolonged vomiting to seek medical attention immediately.
Health officials continue to urge caution and recommend that consumers stay informed about updates on the investigation. McDonald’s has pledged full transparency as they work to resolve the issue and bring back the beloved burger safely.