McDonald’s has announced that its Quarter Pounder beef patties are not connected to a recent E. coli outbreak, which has impacted 75 people across 13 states, including one fatality.
The company confirmed that the contaminated ingredient is likely limited to onions used in the Quarter Pounder burgers, sourced from a specific supplier, Taylor Farms.
In a statement, McDonald’s assured customers that all potentially contaminated ingredients have been removed from its supply chain and restaurant locations.
“The issue appears to be contained to a particular ingredient and geography, and we remain very confident that any contaminated product related to this outbreak has been removed,” said a McDonald’s spokesperson.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also confirmed that proactive steps taken by McDonald’s have reduced the risk to the public to “very low.”
Initial reports of E. coli infections emerged on September 27 in Colorado, which remains the most affected state with 26 confirmed cases. Additional cases have been reported in states across the Midwest and West. Among those infected, 22 individuals were hospitalized, and two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe condition affecting kidney function.
The investigation, led by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state health authorities, has traced the outbreak to slivered onions provided by Taylor Farms. McDonald’s has since stopped sourcing onions from this supplier and plans to temporarily offer Quarter Pounders without onions in affected areas, primarily Colorado, Kansas, and Wyoming.
According to McDonald’s, Colorado state authorities conducted extensive tests on beef samples from McDonald’s locations associated with the outbreak, all of which tested negative for E. coli. Based on these findings, the company will resume serving Quarter Pounders without slivered onions in impacted areas within the week. Taylor Farms has also recalled yellow onions from its Colorado Springs facility, though testing has not yet confirmed traces of E. coli in the recalled batches.
“This is a reminder of how our values must guide us every single day: we put people first, and we do the right thing,” McDonald’s stated.
The company is collaborating closely with regulatory agencies to continue the investigation and is committed to addressing any concerns from customers who may have been affected.
With input from ABC News and the Wall Street Journal.
