ATLANTA, GA – In a concerning development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) informed McDonald’s of a potential E. coli outbreak linked to their Quarter Pounder burgers late last week. The number of cases linked to this outbreak has grown, now totaling 49 confirmed cases and one death across ten states, as noted by the CDC as of Tuesday.
Upon receiving the notification, McDonald’s immediately collaborated with the CDC, alongside the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, to address the issue. By Tuesday afternoon, even before the CDC’s advisory was released, McDonald’s had proactively decided to halt the sale of Quarter Pounder burgers in the impacted areas.
Approximately 20% of McDonald’s locations across the United States have stopped selling the Quarter Pounder at this time, according to company spokespeople. Interviews conducted by the CDC with patients confirmed a significant number had consumed the burger prior to falling ill. Twelve out of the 18 interviewed with confirmed cases reported having eaten a Quarter Pounder, reinforcing the link under investigation.
The outbreak poses a challenge for McDonald’s, which is attempting to regain traction with customers turned away by past price hikes. This incident potentially jeopardizes their $5 value meal campaign intended to lure diners back into their outlets.
In response to these events, Cesar Pina, McDonald’s North American chief supply chain officer, stated that the Quarter Pounder is being withdrawn from restaurants in locations including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and parts of eight other states.
The CDC’s investigation is focusing on both the burgers’ beef patties and uncooked onions as possible sources of contamination. Given that McDonald’s follows strict cooking guidelines that should eliminate E. coli in beef through high temperatures, the onions may be the more probable culprit. The fast-food giant’s onions come from a single supplier in the affected area, and as a precaution, McDonald’s has ceased distribution of this ingredient and instructed restaurants to remove existing supplies.
The outbreak’s timeframe spans from late September to mid-October, during which McDonald’s typically sells about a million Quarter Pounders in the affected regions. Following news of the outbreak, McDonald’s stock fell by 5% in afternoon trading, signaling investor concern over potential impacts on sales.