In this article, a deadly E. coli outbreak associated with McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has resulted in 75 cases across 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC is currently investigating the source of the outbreak. Among the cases, there have been 22 hospitalizations and one reported death of an elderly person in Colorado.
Of the 61 patients with available information, 22 have been hospitalized, and two individuals have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe condition that can lead to kidney failure. All 42 individuals interviewed by the CDC confirmed eating at McDonald’s, with 39 of them specifically mentioning consuming a beef hamburger.
The infected individuals ranged in age from 13 to 88, as reported by the CDC. The agency noted that the actual number of cases in the outbreak is likely higher than reported. Additionally, the outbreak may extend beyond the states with confirmed cases, as many patients do not get tested for E. coli and recover without medical intervention. It typically takes three to four weeks to determine if a person is part of an outbreak.
Following the outbreak announcement, McDonald’s stock fell by 7%, with a 3% decrease on Friday alone. The company refrained from commenting on the update, referring back to its initial statement when the outbreak was first disclosed.
Health officials are focusing on the slivered onions used in Quarter Pounders as a probable source of contamination. McDonald’s has directed affected restaurants to remove slivered onions from their supplies and has halted the distribution of this ingredient in the region.
McDonald’s outlets in several states have temporarily ceased using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties. The supplier of the sliced onions, Taylor Farms, has issued a recall on four raw onion products due to potential E. coli contamination. Other fast-food chains like Burger King, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell have also removed onions from select restaurants in response to the outbreak.
Federal agencies are investigating the Quarter Pounder’s beef patty as a potential source of the outbreak. McDonald’s has withdrawn Quarter Pounders from restaurants in affected areas, with around a fifth of its U.S. outlets not selling these burgers.
McDonald’s is set to report its third-quarter earnings soon and may provide more information about the situation during the conference call. Despite the outbreak, the company aims to reassure customers about the safety of its menu items and its commitment to addressing the issue seriously. Analysts anticipate a 0.5% growth in U.S. same-store sales for the third quarter, amid a period of slow sales for McDonald’s.
Experts believe that unless a more severe crisis emerges, the impact on McDonald’s brand may be limited, similar to an E. coli outbreak linked to Wendy’s two years ago.
