CDC Reports 75 Cases of E. coli Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders

A deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has resulted in 75 cases across 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is investigating the source of the outbreak.

So far, there have been 22 hospitalizations and one previously reported death of an older adult in Colorado. Of the 61 patients with available information, 22 were hospitalized, and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe condition that can lead to kidney failure. All 42 individuals interviewed by the CDC reported eating at McDonald’s, with 39 specifically consuming beef hamburgers.

Patients affected range in age from 13 to 88. The CDC emphasized that the actual number of cases is likely higher than reported, as many individuals may not have tested for E. coli and recover without medical intervention. It typically takes three to four weeks to confirm if a patient is part of an outbreak.

Shares of McDonald’s fell 3% on Friday, down 7% since the CDC first announced the outbreak on Tuesday, which initially reported 49 cases and one death across 10 states. McDonald’s declined to comment on the latest updates, referring back to their original statement regarding the outbreak.

The Quarter Pounder is a staple menu item for McDonald’s, generating billions in revenue annually. Health officials are investigating the slivered onions used in the burgers as a potential source of contamination. In response, McDonald’s has instructed affected restaurants to stop using slivered onions and has halted distribution of this ingredient in the region.

Locations in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have temporarily ceased using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties, according to the CDC.

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McDonald’s has identified California-based Taylor Farms as the supplier for the sliced onions and is recalling 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.

Federal agencies are also investigating the beef patties used in Quarter Pounders as a possible source of the outbreak. As the CDC and other agencies work to contain the situation, McDonald’s has pulled Quarter Pounders from restaurants in affected areas, with about 20% of its U.S. locations no longer serving them.

McDonald’s representatives stated it is too early to assess the impact of the outbreak on customer traffic. The company is set to report its third-quarter earnings on Tuesday and may provide more insights to investors during the conference call.

This outbreak follows a period of sluggish sales for McDonald’s in the U.S., with cost-conscious consumers visiting restaurants less frequently. Analysts are anticipating a 0.5% increase in same-store sales for the third quarter, according to StreetAccount estimates.

In the meantime, McDonald’s is working to reassure customers about the safety of its menu items and is taking the outbreak seriously. Experts suggest that unless the situation escalates, the brand damage may be minimal, similar to an E. coli outbreak linked to Wendy’s two years ago.