McDonald’s Quarter Pounders Linked to Multi-State E. Coli Outbreak That Leaves 1 Dead, 49 Sickened

McDonald’s Quarter Pounders have been linked to a multi-state outbreak of E. Coli that has left one dead and 49 others sickened.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially announced the start of an investigation into the outbreak as of Tuesday, Oct. 22.

“Most sick people are reporting eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers from McDonald’s and investigators are working quickly to confirm which food ingredient is contaminated,” read the announcement, in part. “McDonald’s has pulled ingredients for these burgers, and they won’t be available for sale in some states.”

The government agency also confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and has just begun. But that hasn’t stopped the issue from compounding, seemingly by the minute: ABC News reports that 49 people from 10 states have fallen ill from a strain of the bacteria known as O157:H7. Of the 49 people who have reported falling ill, 27 are from Colorado, and nine are from Nebraska.

Additionally, 10 of these people have been hospitalized (including one child), and one person in Colorado has died from the illness. All patients reported eating a Quarter Pounder before falling ill.

Thus far, the CDC has isolated two ingredients — the onions and the patties — that may be responsible for the outbreak. For its part, McDonald’s has informed the CDC that it has removed both ingredients from stores in states that have been affected by the outbreak. Consequently, Quarter Pounders won’t be available, temporarily, in some states, including Colorado and Nebraska.

Will Other McDonald’s Products Be Affected?

News of this outbreak comes amidst reports that certain items, which also use fresh onions and beef patties, have returned to the market, raising concerns about other menu items being impacted by the outbreak.

One such item is the McRib, which uses fresh onions and has returned to the market. Fortunately, the McRib is only available in the U.K. for a limited time.

“It is more than just a sandwich; it’s a phenomenon. We have heard our fans loud and clear — the fan petitions and pleas on social — and after almost a decade of anticipation, we are thrilled to bring back this iconic menu item,” Thomas O’Neill, the head of menu at McDonald’s U.K., shared in a statement. “Knowing how well-loved the McRib is, we had very little choice — we had to make it happen. It was time to step up and satisfy the cravings of McRib enthusiasts across the country.”