Topline
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday a multi-state E. coli outbreak has been linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger, resulting in some hospitalizations and one death, leading to what may be the company’s worst day on Wall Street since 2020, though the company’s top U.S. executive said he’s “very confident” customers can eat safely at the restaurants.
Quarter Pounder ingredients have been pulled from McDonald’s in some states. (Photo Illustration by … [+]
Key Facts
The CDC said in a food safety alert Tuesday an E. coli outbreak has so far impacted 49 people across 10 states, with most sick people reporting eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger.
Ten people have been hospitalized and one person has died in the outbreak so far.
Investigators are still trying to figure out what specific ingredient in the Quarter Pounder is contaminated, with McDonald’s pulling fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in multiple states.
McDonald’s said in a statement the investigation’s initial findings indicate some of the illnesses may be linked to slivered onions from a single supplier serving three distribution centers.
Most illnesses have been reported in Colorado and Nebraska, according to the CDC.
The Quarter Pounder will be made temporarily unavailable in Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, and parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, according to McDonald’s.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Crucial Quote
“We are very confident that you can go to McDonald’s and enjoy our classics,” Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, told NBC’s “Today” show Wednesday, adding the company traced the probe back to two ingredients in the Quarter Pounder. “We’re confident that we’ll see our way through this, and we’ll restore confidence for the American consumer to come to McDonald’s,” predicted Erlinger.
Tangent
McDonald’s stock dropped more than 5% by midmorning Wednesday, hitting its lowest share price in more than a month at below $300. Wednesday would be the first 5% or more daily share price drop since March 2020, when stocks globally sank as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.
Where Have People Gotten Sick From The E. Coli Outbreak?
The outbreak has sickened people in Colorado (26), Nebraska (9), Utah (4), Wyoming (4), Oregon (1), Montana (1), Kansas (1), Missouri (1), Iowa (1), Wisconsin (1), according to the CDC.
What Are E. Coli Symptoms?
Though most E. coli bacteria are harmless, certain strains can cause fever, vomiting, stomach cramps and bloody or watery diarrhea. Symptoms usually start three to four days after consumption of contaminated food and most people recover without treatment after five to seven days, though the CDC recommends people call their healthcare providers if they are showing certain severe symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than two days or a fever above 102 degrees.
Key Background
McDonald’s Quarter Pounder, one of the chain’s most popular burgers alongside the Big Mac, is 520 calories and contains a quarter pound 100% beef patty, American cheese, ketchup, pickle slices, onions and mustard. The McDonald’s-linked E. coli outbreak is the latest outbreak involving the bacteria. The CDC identified an outbreak linked to organic walnuts in July that sickened 13 people and another outbreak in March linked to raw cheese that sickened 11.
Further Reading
E. coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders (CDC)
McDonald’s earnings, revenue miss estimates as consumer pullback worsens (CNBC)