Multistate E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder Burgers

Quarter Pounder from McDonaldsPhoto byFDA press release

Federal health officials, including the FDA, USDA FSIS, and the CDC, are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections potentially linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers. While the exact source of the contamination has not been confirmed, many affected individuals report eating Quarter Pounder burgers at McDonald’s locations in several states.

McDonald’s stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties, which are suspected to be the source of the outbreak.

Preliminary findings suggest that slivered onions used in Quarter Pounders may be a likely source of the contamination. McDonald’s has ceased the use of these onions in affected states while the investigation continues. Additionally, FSIS is conducting a traceback of the hamburger patties used in Quarter Pounders to determine if ground beef is contributing to the outbreak.

McDonald’s diced onions and other beef patties used in their stores have not been implicated and remain available for use in other menu items.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Consumers in affected states are advised to be cautious and monitor for symptoms if they have recently consumed a Quarter Pounder burger.

Symptoms of E. coli
Symptoms of E. coli infection can develop within days of consuming contaminated food and include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), fever, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, E. coli can lead to life-threatening complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can result in kidney failure. Consumers who experience these symptoms after eating at McDonald’s should seek medical attention immediately.