E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders Sickens Dozens, One Fatally
A concerning E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s quarter pounder hamburgers has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states across the US, with one fatality reported, Al Jazeera reports.
The majority of cases have been concentrated in Colorado and Nebraska, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC announced the outbreak Tuesday, saying that most people who became ill reported consuming quarter pounder hamburgers at McDonald’s prior to their symptoms. While authorities are still investigating the specific ingredient responsible, the fast-food chain has confirmed that the outbreak does not affect all states or menu items.
McDonald’s shares plummeted by 9% in after-hours trading, reflecting the significant impact of the outbreak on investor confidence. This comes on the heels of a difficult year for the fast-food giant, marked by a decline in same-store sales and rising inflation.
In July, McDonald’s reported its first drop in quarterly same-store sales in four years. Customers have been staying away due to factors such as inflation and perceived support for Israel during the recent conflict in Gaza.
Earlier this month, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski warned that 2025 was likely to be “another challenging year” for the company as lower-income customers continue to face financial strain.
