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McDonald’s brings back Quarter Pounders after E. coli outbreak linked to onions

By Austin Williams
Published  October 27, 2024 6:16pm PDT
Food and Drink
FOX TV Digital Team

McDonald's E.Coli outbreak: What to know

A widespread E. coli outbreak has been linked to a McDonald’s product, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). LiveNOW's Carel Lajara spoke about the outbreak with Dr. Matthew Wise, Branch Chief of the CDC's Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch.

The Brief:

    • McDonald’s Quarter Pounders are back after an E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions affected 75 people in 13 states.
    • Slivered onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado facility were identified as the likely contamination source.
    • McDonald’s has removed these onions from its supply chain and will serve Quarter Pounders without them.

LOS ANGELES - After a temporary removal due to an E. coli outbreak, McDonald’s has announced the return of its popular Quarter Pounder burger in hundreds of restaurants. 

The outbreak, which resulted in one death and 75 cases of illness across 13 states, has been linked to slivered onions from a Colorado-based supplier, Taylor Farms. Beef patties were tested and ruled out as a source of contamination.

What caused the Quarter Pounder E. coli outbreak?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced the likely contamination source to slivered onions provided by Taylor Farms. 

These onions, sourced from a facility in Colorado Springs, were used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders at approximately 900 restaurants, mainly in the Midwest and Mountain states.

McDonald’s response to the outbreak

McDonald’s promptly removed slivered onions from affected locations and stopped sourcing from Taylor Farms' Colorado facility indefinitely. Testing by the Colorado 

Department of Agriculture confirmed that the beef patties were free of E. coli, allowing McDonald’s to safely reintroduce the Quarter Pounder, now served without slivered onions.

E. coli breakout traced back to McDonald's

E. coli food poisoning linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states, including one person who died and 10 who were hospitalized, federal health officials said Tuesday. Dr. James Rogers, Director of Food Safety Research and Testing at Consumer Reports, joined LiveNOW from FOX to discuss.

Impact of the E. coli outbreak

As of Friday, at least 22 people were hospitalized, with two developing a severe kidney disease complication. 

The outbreak has impacted states including Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, and New Mexico. Some fast-food chains, including Taco Bell and KFC, have also temporarily removed onions in response to the outbreak as investigations continue.

The Source
This article is based on an Associated Press report and statements from McDonald’s, the FDA, and the CDC. These sources provide current updates on the E. coli outbreak and McDonald’s response measures to ensure consumer safety.