McDonald's Speaks Out on Deadly E. Coli Outbreak

McDonald’s is responding to a recent E. coli outbreak.

The fast food chain temporarily removed its Quarter Pounder burger from the menu of restaurants in affected areas—mostly Colorado and Nebraska—on Oct. 22 following a food contamination that has killed one person.

“Serving customers safely in every single restaurant, each and every day, is our top priority and something we’ll never compromise on,” McDonald's North America Chief Supply Chain Officer Cesar Piña shared in an internal message obtained by E! News. “It is why we are taking swift and decisive action following an E. Coli outbreak in certain states.”

While the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not confirmed the affected foods, the burger chain believes onions are the ingredient that was contaminated with E. coli, a bacteria found in the intestines of people and animals.

“The initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers,” Piña continued. “As a result, and in line with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply and we have paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area.”

In addition to the death of an older adult in Colorado, 10 people have been hospitalized, including a child that developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a kidney disease that can develop from an E. coli infection, per NBC News.

As of Oct. 22, there have been 49 reported cases of disease related to this outbreak. However, the CDC stated that the actual number of sick people is likely much higher due to those whose symptoms—which include a high fever over 102 degrees, severe stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea—were mild enough to recover without medical care were never tested for E. coli.

All affected people that were interviewed stated they had eaten McDonald’s, and specifically a Quarter Pounder, according to NBC News.

Moving forward, Piña stated that McDonald’s “will continue to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention” and will provide “timely updates as we restore our full menu.”

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