McDonald’s announced Sunday that all products linked to the E. coli outbreak, which affected 75 individuals across 13 states and led to one fatality, have been removed from its restaurants.
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The outbreak, first reported on Sept. 27 in Colorado, was associated with Quarter Pounder burgers. The FDA, investigating the contamination, pointed to slivered onions as the probable source. McDonald’s confirmed it stopped using onions from supplier Taylor Farms as of Oct. 22.
“Our proactive steps have kept the public risk ‘very low,’ according to the CDC,” McDonald’s stated. The company emphasized its commitment to “putting people first.”
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The CDC reported 26 cases in Colorado and 13 in Montana, with additional cases across other states. Of the 61 cases with detailed data, 22 required hospitalization, and two developed severe kidney complications.
McDonald’s clarified that Quarter Pounder beef patties tested negative for E. coli, ruling out ground beef as the contamination source. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service confirmed these findings.
While sales of Quarter Pounders were temporarily suspended in Colorado Springs, they are set to resume this week. Meanwhile, 900 stores will continue selling Quarter Pounders without slivered onions, which McDonald’s will no longer source from Taylor Farms.
The last reported case linked to this outbreak occurred on Oct. 10.
