Due to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 49 individuals across 10 states and resulted in one death, McDonald’s announced on Tuesday that it would temporarily remove the Quarter Pounder hamburger from select locations.

McDonald’s USA president, Joe Erlinger, stated in a video released on Tuesday, “We do not take this decision lightly and made it after close consultation with the CDC.”

Cesar Piña, Chief Supply Chain Officer for McDonald’s North America, shared that an initial investigation suggested that “a group of illnesses might be associated with slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder, sourced from a particular supplier that feeds three distribution centers.”

Piña mentioned that the company is suspending the distribution of slivered onions in the affected states and notifying restaurants in those areas about stock recovery.

Which McDonald’s locations are removing Quarter Pounders?

In the statement released on October 22, McDonald’s revealed that the Quarter Pounder is being pulled from the menu in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming.

The item is also being taken off the menu in parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

The company is actively seeking alternative suppliers to restore the popular burger to affected states in the coming weeks. No other menu items are being removed.

E. coli cases confirmed in 10 states

As of Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported infections in the following states:

• Colorado
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Montana
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Oregon
• Utah
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it is investigating whether the onions are the cause of the outbreak and if they have been distributed to other businesses.