Wednesday, October 23, 2024

E. coli Outbreak with 49 Reported Cases Linked to McDonald Quarter Pounders, Slivered Onions Possible Culprit

The FDA, USDA-FSIS and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating  a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections.  A specific ingredient has not yet been confirmed as the source of the outbreak, but most sick people report eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger varieties.  Slivered onions or the beef patties are the two items under investigation.

The FDA Update stated "Preliminary traceback and distribution information reviewed by FDA shows that slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders are a likely source of contamination. FDA is working quickly to confirm that these onions are a source of this outbreak and to determine if these onions were served or sold at other businesses. McDonald’s has temporarily stopped using this type of onion in these states. Diced onions used at McDonald’s are not implicated in this outbreak."

So far there have been 49 illness in 10 states with 10 hospitalizations and 1 death.  CDC added a list of states where McDonald's removed slivered onions and beef patties. States: Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma

Case Count
Total Illnesses: 49
Hospitalizations: 10
Deaths: 1
Last Illness Onset: October 11, 2024
States with Cases: CO, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, OR, UT, WI, and WY

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-mcdonalds-quarter-pounders-october-2024
Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: McDonald’s Quarter Pounders (October 2024)
Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders served in certain states. Investigators are working to confirm the source of the outbreak.

Current Update
October 22, 2024

The FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. A specific ingredient has not yet been confirmed as the source of the outbreak, but most sick people report eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger varieties.

Investigators are working to determine if the slivered onions or beef patties on Quarter Pounder burgers are the likely source of this outbreak.

Preliminary traceback and distribution information reviewed by FDA shows that slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders are a likely source of contamination. FDA is working quickly to confirm that these onions are a source of this outbreak and to determine if these onions were served or sold at other businesses. McDonald’s has temporarily stopped using this type of onion in these states. Diced onions used at McDonald’s are not implicated in this outbreak.

FSIS is conducting traceback on hamburger patties served at McDonald’s in affected states to determine if ground beef is a source of illness. McDonald’s has also temporarily stopped selling Quarter Pounder beef patties in affected states, while the investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak.

This advisory will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Situation summary

CDC, FDA, USDA FSIS, and public health officials in multiple states are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Most people in this outbreak are reporting eating the Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s before becoming sick. It is not yet known which specific food ingredient is contaminated.

McDonald’s is collaborating with investigation partners to determine what food ingredient in Quarter Pounders is making people sick. McDonald’s stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states while the investigation is ongoing to identify the ingredient causing illness.

Contaminated food

McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers are making people sick, with most illnesses in Colorado and Nebraska.

Quarter Pounder hamburgers will not be available temporarily in some states while McDonald's makes some supply changes.

McDonald's stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties.

McDonald's is proactively making these changes while investigators work to confirm the contaminated ingredient. Quarter pound beef patties are only used on Quarter Pounders. Fresh slivered onions are primarily used on Quarter Pounder hamburgers and not other menu items.

Investigators are working to confirm which ingredient in these hamburgers is making people sick and if it went to other restaurants or stores.

https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/e-coli-O157.html
E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders
Food safety alert

Investigation start date: October 22, 2024

Investigation status: Open

Recall issued: No

New as of 10/23: In the Contaminated Food Section, CDC added a list of states where McDonald's removed slivered onions and beef patties. States: Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma

Situation summary

CDC, FDA, USDA FSIS, and public health officials in multiple states are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Most people in this outbreak are reporting eating the Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s before becoming sick. It is not yet known which specific food ingredient is contaminated.

McDonald’s is collaborating with investigation partners to determine what food ingredient in Quarter Pounders is making people sick. McDonald’s stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states while the investigation is ongoing to identify the ingredient causing illness.

Contaminated food

McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers are making people sick, with most illnesses in Colorado and Nebraska.

Quarter Pounder hamburgers will not be available temporarily in some states while McDonald's makes some supply changes.

McDonald's stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties.

McDonald's is proactively making these changes while investigators work to confirm the contaminated ingredient. Quarter pound beef patties are only used on Quarter Pounders. Fresh slivered onions are primarily used on Quarter Pounder hamburgers and not other menu items.

Investigators are working to confirm which ingredient in these hamburgers is making people sick and if it went to other restaurants or stores.

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