CDC, FDA declare McDonald’s-linked E. coli outbreak no longer public health threat

USA – The US Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control have determined the recent E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pound Burgers is no longer a public health threat after concluding investigations.

The CDC revealed that no new cases of illness have been identified since October 21, the same day McDonald’s removed Quarter Pounders from menus in affected states.

The illnesses linked to the Quarter Pounders occurred between September 12 and October 21, resulting in one fatality in Colorado and four cases of severe kidney complications. 

Colorado experienced the highest number of cases at 30, followed by Montana (19), Nebraska (13), New Mexico (10), Missouri and Utah (8 each), Wyoming (6), Kansas (3), Michigan (2), and one case each in Iowa, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. 

The FDA, in collaboration with the CDC and state health departments, traced the likely source of contamination to raw yellow onions supplied by Taylor Farms in California. Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled the onions on October 22.

Despite rigorous testing by officials in Colorado, the specific strain of E. coli was not detected in the onion or environmental samples. However, epidemiological evidence linked the recalled onions to the outbreak. 

In response, McDonald’s initially pulled Quarter Pounders from 3,000 restaurants nationwide, later narrowing the withdrawal to 900 locations after identifying the onions as the contamination source.

On October 27, McDonald’s announced the burger’s return to menus, citing new data confirming that fresh beef patties were not involved.

This conclusion was supported by analyses from Colorado’s agriculture department and McDonald’s supply chain review. The company has since switched to a new onion supplier. 

To address the fallout, McDonald’s plans to invest US$100 million to regain customer trust, allocating US$65 million to support franchisees most impacted by the outbreak.

While the company has not disclosed current sales figures for affected regions, it expressed gratitude to regulators for their swift actions and reaffirmed its commitment to rigorous food safety measures. 

Several major fast-food chains, including Restaurant Brands International (owner of Burger King) and Yum Brands, have temporarily removed fresh onions from their menus as a precaution.

This marks McDonald’s most significant food safety issue since 2018 when over 500 customers fell ill after eating salads from its restaurants.

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