A concerning E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers is rapidly spreading across the United States, prompting a major public health investigation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported at least 75 confirmed cases in 13 states, with 22 individuals hospitalized and one death in Colorado attributed to the outbreak. Early investigations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggest that uncooked slivered onions, used as toppings on the Quarter Pounder, may be the source of contamination.
McDonald’s has confirmed that the onions in question came from Taylor Farms, a California-based supplier, specifically their facility in Colorado Springs. In response, McDonald’s has stopped sourcing onions from this facility indefinitely. “We have made the decision to stop sourcing onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility indefinitely,” the company stated. Taylor Farms has also issued a recall of yellow onions distributed from its Colorado location and expressed its commitment to cooperating with CDC and FDA investigations. “It saddens us to see the illnesses and affected individuals and families,” they added.
As a precaution, McDonald’s has temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder from menus in several U.S. states, especially in the Midwest and Mountain regions, affecting around 900 restaurants, including those in major transportation hubs like airports. The number of reported cases has surged from an initial 49 across 10 states to the current 75. Colorado has the highest case count at 26, with additional cases reported in Montana, Nebraska, and beyond. Despite the rise in cases, McDonald’s maintains that the Quarter Pounder has not been removed from menus in all restaurants. The CDC has noted that some patients had traveled recently, with at least three individuals eating at McDonald’s prior to falling ill.
Although Taylor Farms issued a recall, it was not publicly announced per FDA guidelines, which allow direct customer notifications. Other fast-food chains, including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Burger King, have taken precautionary measures by removing onions from select locations. The E. coli strain involved in this outbreak produces harmful toxins that can cause severe symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and dehydration, posing serious risks, particularly to young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
