Sat Nov 16 03:10:00 IST 2024: **McDonald’s E. coli Outbreak Expands; Death Toll Rises to One**
**Washington, D.C. – November 14, 2023** – The E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers has expanded, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reporting a total of 104 illnesses across 14 states. This represents a significant increase from the 90 cases reported on October 30th.
The outbreak, first reported on October 22nd, is attributed to contaminated raw slivered onions supplied by Taylor Farms and served on Quarter Pounders. Thirty-four individuals have required hospitalization, four have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening kidney condition, and one person in Colorado has died.
Following the initial reports, McDonald’s temporarily suspended the sale of Quarter Pounders with onions at approximately 900 restaurants. While Taylor Farms issued a recall of certain onions, the company clarified that the recalled onions were not the source of the contamination related to the McDonald’s outbreak. McDonald’s has since secured a new onion supplier and resumed sales of Quarter Pounders with onions at the affected restaurants.
The FDA and McDonald’s both assert that there is no ongoing food safety concern related to the outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants. McDonald’s emphasized their commitment to food safety and thanked public health authorities for their collaboration.
The CDC notes that most E. coli bacteria are harmless, but some strains can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Symptoms typically appear two to eight days after exposure and include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Individuals experiencing severe symptoms, particularly HUS (indicated by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urination), should seek immediate medical attention.
First Piper 