McDonald’s E. Coli Map Shows Where Quarter Pounder Is Making People Sick

Ten people have been hospitalized and one elderly individual in Colorado has died following E. coli infections linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced on Tuesday.
McDonald’s shares dropped 9.2% after hours in light of the news.The CDC alert states that 49 people from 10 states have fallen ill due to this outbreak, with 26 cases reported in Colorado and nine in Nebraska.
According to the CDC, one of the patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure.
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The CDC stated that the actual number of people affected by the outbreak is “likely much higher” than the reported cases. This is because many individuals recover from an E. coli infection without undergoing testing or seeking medical attention. Additionally, it generally takes three to four weeks to confirm whether a sick patient is part of an outbreak, according to the agency.
“Everyone interviewed has reported eating at McDonald’s before their illness started, and most specifically mentioned eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger,” the CDC’s statement reads. “The specific ingredient linked to illness has not yet been identified, but investigators are focused on two ingredients in particular: fresh, slivered onions, and fresh beef patties.”
In response, McDonald’s has proactively removed the slivered onions and beef patties used for quarter pounder hamburgers from stores in the affected states while the investigation continues, the company informed the CDC.
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McDonald’s announced that Quarter Pounder hamburgers will be temporarily unavailable in several Western states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as parts of other states. The company added that it is working with suppliers to replenish ingredients.
Newsweek has emailed McDonald’s Tuesday afternoon for additional comments.
According to the CDC’s statement, quarter pounders may be temporarily unavailable in some states.
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The investigation is ongoing.
“If you have severe symptoms of E. coli infection after eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s, seek health care and tell your provider about what you ate,” the alert adds.
Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a type of bacteria that is found in the intestines of humans and animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless and play a crucial role in the digestive tract by helping break down food and produce certain vitamins. However, some strains can cause illness.
The CDC noted that symptoms of E. coli include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and occasionally a fever.
“Most people get better within 5 to 7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening,” the CDC wrote.
Here are three significant foodborne illness and food safety issues that McDonald’s has faced in previous years.
An E. coli outbreak associated with McDonald’s affected at least 47 people in Oregon and Michigan in 1982. This was one of the first major E. coli outbreaks linked to a fast-food chain and highlighted issues with undercooked beef patties.
McDonald’s Japan faced a significant food safety issue when two customers found a piece of plastic in their Chicken McNuggets in 2015. Around the same time, reports also surfaced of undercooked meat being served. Though not a bacterial outbreak, the incidents highlighted serious food safety issues.
In 2018, McDonald’s experienced an outbreak of Cyclospora linked to contaminated salads, affecting at least 507 people across multiple states. Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness. The outbreak was traced to contaminated lettuce used in the salads, and McDonald’s responded by removing the lettuce from affected suppliers.
Between 1992 and 1993, an E. Coli outbreak at Jack in the Box fast food restaurants resulted in the deaths of four children and permanent injuries for 178 others. The outbreak was traced to contaminated meat in Jack in the Box fast food restaurants. The outbreak led to President Bill Clinton’s administration beginning random E. coli testing in ground beef.
In 2015, an E. Coli outbreak at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants affected 55 people in 11 states, with 22 hospitalized.
Update: 10/22/24, 6:46 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with more information.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.