The number of E. coli cases linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has increased to 90, with one reported death and 27 hospitalizations. The CDC believes that slivered onions used on the burgers are the likely source of the outbreak. McDonald’s has pulled all affected Quarter Pounders from restaurants, and the risk to the public is considered very low. Colorado officials ruled out the beef patties as the source of the outbreak. A 15-year-old girl in Grand Junction, Colorado developed a rare kidney illness after eating a Quarter Pounder and has been hospitalized with kidney damage. The true number of cases is likely higher than reported. Thirteen states have reported cases with the majority linked to Taylor Farms Colorado Springs’ slivered onions. McDonald’s has stopped sourcing onions from the company indefinitely and will sell the Quarter Pounder without onions in affected stores. Other restaurant chains in Colorado have also removed onions from their menus as a precaution. Despite this, there are no reports of E. coli cases from these other restaurants.
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CDC: McDonald’s E. coli Infections Linked to Slivered Onions, Cases Increase to 90
