The CDC has issued a safety alert over a McDonald’s staple: the fast-food chain’s iconic Quarter Pounder. Health officials said Tuesday, Oct. 22, McDonald’s Quarter Pounders have been linked to a deadly E. coli outbreak in at least ten states.
They said 49 people have become sick and one person has died in connection with the outbreak. Most of the illnesses have been reported in Nebraska and Colorado.
The CDC said, so far, it appears the onions used as a topping on the burgers are the likeliest source of the outbreak. McDonald’s has now stopped using the onions and is not serving the Quarter Pounder in affected states.
“McDonald’s reported to CDC that it has stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states. McDonald’s is proactively making these changes while investigators work to confirm the contaminated ingredient. Quarter pound beef patties are only used on Quarter Pounders. Fresh slivered onions are primarily used on Quarter Pounder hamburgers and not other menu items,” the CDC said.
In a statement, the company said it believes the onions came from a single supplier.