According to an update from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 75 individuals in 13 states have become ill due to an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.

The CDC first reported the outbreak on Tuesday, noting that it had sickened 49 people across 10 states and resulted in one death. As of October 24, the total number of cases has risen to 75, with 22 individuals hospitalized, including one fatality in Colorado. Additionally, two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.

McDonald’s and health investigators suggest that the Quarter Pounder is the only menu item involved in this outbreak. The likely source of contamination is believed to be the raw slivered onions used on the burgers, rather than the beef patties.

As the number of reported cases increased, McDonald’s has begun removing the burger from its menu in several locations, and multiple onion recalls have been put in place.

Here are the key details regarding the E. coli outbreak associated with McDonald’s.

Which McDonald’s Products are Affected?

Currently, the Quarter Pounder is the sole McDonald’s item identified as being linked to the E. coli outbreak. Investigators speculate that the slivered onions may be the source of the problem, rather than the ground beef.

Food safety specialists mentioned to YSL News that there exists a risk of cross-contamination at restaurants that may have received affected products.

The fast-food chain announced on Wednesday that it has stopped serving the Quarter Pounder in approximately 20% of its outlets.

Which States are Affected by the E.coli Outbreak?

As of Friday, illnesses linked to the E. coli outbreak have been reported in 13 states, as per the CDC.

• Colorado
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Michigan
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• Utah
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Among these states, Colorado has reported the highest number of cases, totaling 26, followed by Montana with 13, and Nebraska with 11. The remaining states have reported five or fewer instances.

Which States Have Suspended Quarter Pounder Sales?

McDonald’s has indicated that Quarter Pounders have been taken off the menu at locations in the following states:

• Colorado
• Kansas
• Utah
• Wyoming

Furthermore, the item has also been removed from select locations in:

• Idaho
• Iowa
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma

Is Eating at McDonald’s Safe?

Food safety attorney Bill Marler expressed to YSL News that it might be premature to declare McDonald’s entirely safe at this moment.

Fresh onions can potentially be tainted with E. coli if they come into contact with fecal matter, which may happen through polluted water, contaminated soil, manure, or due to livestock being nearby, according to Marler and food consultant Bryan Quoc Le.

McDonald’s stated that its suppliers take precautions by washing, slicing, and cleaning onions before packaging and refrigeration. Moreover, their standard burgers use diced onions, which are different from the slivered onions involved in this outbreak. The chain is also collaborating with health officials to quickly address the situation.

Quoc Le also mentioned that other than the Quarter Pounder, “there shouldn’t be any concerns in consuming” other McDonald’s offerings. He noted that the company efficiently manages logistics and distribution, allowing for quick recalls of their products.

“For the time being, you might want to steer clear of the Quarter Pounder,” he advised, “but I don’t foresee any issues with the other menu items,” he concluded.

Onion Recalls

US Foods, one of the largest distributors to restaurants and food service providers in the U.S., issued a recall of raw diced, peeled, and whole peeled onions from its supplier, Taylor Farms Colorado, due to “potential”

There has been an issue with E. coli contamination.

On Thursday, McDonald’s informed YSL News that one of Taylor Farms’ production sites had provided onions to various locations that were affected by the E. coli outbreak. However, the onions from Taylor Farms in Colorado that have been recalled were unrelated to the company’s decision to pull Quarter Pounders from their menu.

In a news release on Friday, McDonald’s stated they have halted the purchase of onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility “due to widespread concerns and our steadfast commitment to food safety.”

The recalled items from Taylor Farms include:

• 30-pound bags of peeled jumbo yellow onions
• 4/5-pound bags of 3/8-inch diced fresh yellow onions
• 5-pound bags of fresh diced yellow onions
• 6/5-pound bags of whole, peeled yellow onions

Yum Brands and Burger King take action

Yum Brands also announced on Thursday their decision to withdraw onions from selected Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC locations due to the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s. Additionally, Burger King has reported that some of their locations will stop using onions sourced from Taylor Farms in Colorado.

Yum Brands stated, “As we keep track of the recently reported E. coli outbreak, and out of an abundance of caution, we have taken the initiative to remove fresh onions from specific Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC restaurants. We will adhere to supplier and regulatory advice to maintain the safety and quality of our food.”

The company did not clarify which specific locations had onions removed or provide details about their onion supplier for these restaurants.

Investigations and lawsuits underway

Health agencies, including the FDA, CDC, and USDA, are still investigating the outbreak.

As spokesperson Janell Goodwin from the FDA mentioned on Thursday, “We are utilizing all resources to determine if onions are the origin of this outbreak. This involves collaboration with federal and state partners and the involved companies to gather and assess records and distribution data as part of our traceback investigation. FDA and state partners are also collecting onion samples for testing.”

In the meantime, the first lawsuit related to this outbreak has been filed.

This lawsuit, submitted to the Cook County Circuit Court in Illinois, claims Eric Stelly consumed food from a McDonald’s location in Greeley, Colorado, three weeks ago and subsequently suffered from symptoms like nausea, cramps, and bloody stools, which are commonly identified with E. coli poisoning, as noted in a press release from his attorney, Ron Simon.

The 10-page lawsuit obtained by YSL News accuses McDonald’s of negligence, product liability, and other allegations concerning the illnesses.

Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas and Max Hauptman, YSL News