HQ Team
October 27, 2024: Multiple US agencies are investigating an outbreak of E.coli in the country, which was reported after eating Quarter Pounders hamburgers at McDonald’s, as cases rise in new states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that a specific contaminated food ingredient was not yet established.
The CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Food and Safety Inspection Service and public health officials in various states were on the job, according to a CDC statement.
Since the onset of the illness on October 10, 2024, about 75 cases of illness were reported with an additional 26 new cases in three new states, Michigan, New Mexico and Washington being reported as of October 25.
So far, thirteen states have been affected by the illness. Twenty-two people have been hospitalised. This number includes the previously reported death in Colorado, a child with complications of hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, and one new HUS in an adult.
Eating a Quarter Pounder
Of 42 people interviewed, all had reported eating at McDonald’s before their illness started, and most specifically mentioned eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger, according to the statement.
“No other retail chains or retailers have been identified as a source of illness.”
Investigators are focusing on two ingredients in particular — fresh slivered onions and fresh beef patties. Taylor Farms, the supplier of slivered onions for affected McDonald’s locations, initiated a recall of yellow onions. Stores were contacted directly and asked to remove products.
McDonald’s is collaborating with investigation partners to determine what food ingredient in Quarter Pounders is making people sick.
“McDonald’s stopped using fresh slivered onions and Quarter Pound beef patties in several states while the investigation is ongoing to identify the ingredient causing illness,” according to the CDC statement.
Yellow onions
The risk to the public is very low, the FDA stated.
“As noted by FDA on October 22, 2024, slivered onions from Taylor Farms’ facility in Colorado Springs are the “likely source of contamination,” according to a statement from McDonald’s.
In its update (October 25, 2024), the FDA notes that yellow onions were sold by this supplier and from this facility to additional food service customers.
“McDonald’s stopped selling this product as of October 22, 2024, and we understand FDA is continuing its investigation into that facility.
Before “this action, slivered onions from this facility were distributed to approximately 900 McDonald’s restaurants in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, and portions of other states in the area. A select number of restaurants were in transportation hubs, such as airports, which may account for illnesses in additional states.
“Nothing is more important to us than the quality and safety of our food, which is why McDonald’s took swift and decisive action to protect the health of our customers.”
Stomach cramps, diarrhoea
People infected with Shiga toxin-producing E.coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhoea (often bloody), and vomiting. Symptoms usually start three to four days after swallowing the bacteria.
Most people recover without treatment after five to seven days. Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome) and would need to be hospitalised.
McDonald’s stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have temporarily stopped using their current supply of Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties.
Quarter Pound beef patties are only used on Quarter Pounders. Fresh-slivered onions are primarily used on Quarter Pounder hamburgers and not other menu items.
