The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States issued a notice on Wednesday, November 13th, stating that at least 104 people have been infected with E. coli after consuming onion slices on McDonald’s quarter-pound beef burgers, with 34 of them being hospitalized.
According to the CDC, cases of E. coli infection linked to the consumption of McDonald’s beef burgers have been reported in 14 states. Among these cases, Colorado reported one death and 4 individuals experiencing worsening conditions, developing potentially life-threatening kidney complications.
Data released by the CDC shows that Colorado has reported at least 30 cases, ranking first, followed by Montana (19 cases), Nebraska (13 cases), New Mexico (10 cases), Missouri and Utah (8 cases each), Wyoming (6 cases), Kansas (3 cases), Michigan (2 cases), Iowa, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin (1 case each).
At least 7 individuals have reportedly consumed food from McDonald’s during travel and subsequently contracted E. coli after their meals.
These cases occurred between September 12th, 2024, and October 21st, 2024.
While investigators have not yet identified the exact ingredient causing the food poisoning, the focus has been narrowed down to the onion slices used in the burgers. McDonald’s onion supplier, Taylor Farms, has recalled onions related to this issue.
Officials reported that when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested one onion sample, they found a strain of E. coli that produces toxins, though these toxins did not match the strains found in the poisoning cases mentioned above.
On Wednesday, McDonald’s stated that in the early stages of the outbreak, they halted the supply of quarter-pounders in multiple states and found alternative suppliers for the affected 900 restaurants. After a week of adjustments, these restaurants have resumed selling quarter-pound burgers with onion slices.
The CDC mentioned that the E. coli strains associated with this incident cause around 74,000 infections in the United States annually, resulting in over 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths.
Symptoms of this poisoning usually manifest within one to two days and can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody stools, as well as signs of dehydration such as decreased urine output, constant thirst, and dizziness. Infections can also lead to severe kidney damage, especially in children under 5 years old. Immediate medical attention is required if young children exhibit symptoms of E. coli poisoning.