E. Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders Declared Over by CDC After Over 100 Reported Illnesses

Despite over 100 reported illnesses across 14 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Tuesday that the E. coli outbreak linked to slivered onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has officially ended.

Since the investigation began on October 22nd, 104 cases of E. coli were identified, resulting in 34 hospitalizations and one death, a senior in Mesa County, Colorado. Four individuals, including a 15-year-old girl from Colorado, developed severe complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can cause kidney failure. The teenager’s symptoms began shortly after multiple visits to McDonald’s for her preferred meal, a Quarter Pounder with cheese and extra pickles.

The contaminated slivered onions were traced back to Taylor Farms, a California-based supplier. Following the outbreak’s announcement, McDonald’s quickly removed Quarter Pounders from restaurants in the affected states. Investigators linked the illnesses to the onions in this specific menu item, as nearly all interviewed patients had consumed meals containing them.

The swift action to recall the onions appears to have contained the outbreak. In a joint statement, the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed the issue has been resolved, emphasizing there is no ongoing risk. McDonald’s plans to resume Quarter Pounder sales this week.

“The process to reach this point has at times felt long, challenging and uncertain. But it is critical that public officials examine every possible angle, and we are deeply grateful that they moved quickly to identify and, in partnership with McDonald’s, contain the issue,” a statement from McDonald’s chief impact officer Michael Gonda and chief supply chain officer Cesar Piña read.