USA – The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed the number of E. coli cases linked to onions used by McDonald’s in its Quarter Pound burgers have reached 104, with 34 hospitalizations and one fatality.
Illnesses linked to the Quarter Ponders were reported between September 12 and October 21.
At least seven individuals who fell ill mentioned eating McDonald’s meals and cases were identified in 14 states, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
One person in Colorado died, while four others developed severe kidney complications.
Colorado recorded the highest number of cases at 30, followed by Montana (19), Nebraska (13), New Mexico (10), Missouri and Utah (eight each), Wyoming (six), Kansas (three), Michigan (two), and one each in Iowa, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The CDC identified slivered onions served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders as the likely cause of the outbreak.
Taylor Farms, a California-based produce supplier, recalled onions potentially linked to the issue. While tests by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found E. coli bacteria in one onion sample, officials clarified it did not match the strain associated with the outbreak.
McDonald’s stated on October 25 that onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado facility were distributed to approximately 900 restaurants across Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, and parts of nearby states.
During the initial outbreak, McDonald’s temporarily removed Quarter Pounder burgers from menus at restaurants in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and regions in other affected states. These locations represent around 20% of McDonald’s 14,000 US outlets.
The onions in question have since exceeded their shelf life and are no longer available for sale. The CDC emphasized that the public risk remains minimal.
The specific bacteria associated with the outbreak is known to cause about 74,000 infections annually in the US, resulting in over 2,000 hospitalizations and approximately 61 deaths.
Similar outbreaks have previously impacted fast food sales, as customers tend to avoid affected chains. In response to this incident, Yum! Brands removed fresh onions from menus at select KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell locations as a precaution.
Similarly, Burger King, operated by Restaurant Brands International, stopped using onions at a Colorado outlet linked to the outbreak.
The on-duty manager at a Burger King in Longmont, Colorado, confirmed on 23 October that onions were being removed from their menu indefinitely following corporate instructions.
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