The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared the conclusion of the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. The outbreak, which began in late September, affected 104 individuals across 14 states, resulting in 27 hospitalizations and one death in Colorado.
Investigations identified fresh, slivered onions supplied by Taylor Farms as the likely source of contamination. In response, Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall of the implicated onions on October 22. McDonald’s promptly removed the affected onions from their supply chain and temporarily halted Quarter Pounder sales in the impacted regions. The company has since resumed sales after sourcing onions from a different supplier.
The CDC’s investigation confirmed that all reported illnesses occurred before the removal of the contaminated onions, indicating that the swift actions taken by McDonald’s and Taylor Farms effectively mitigated further risk. The CDC has stated that there is no ongoing food safety concern related to this outbreak.
Despite these measures, McDonald’s has experienced a decline in customer traffic, particularly in the initially affected states. The company has invested $100 million in marketing and franchisee support to rebuild consumer confidence and encourage patrons to return.
