E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders spreads, sickening at least 75 people

Updated: 17 minutes ago Published: 18 minutes ago

A E. coli poisoning outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has expanded, with at least 75 people sickened in 13 states, federal health officials said Friday.

A total of 22 people have been hospitalized and two have developed a dangerous complication of kidney disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. One person has died in Colorado.

No definitive source of the outbreak has been identified, U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials said. Preliminary data analyzed by the FDA showed that raw chopped onions used in the burgers “are a likely source of contamination,” the agency said.

McDonald’s has confirmed that Taylor Farms, a California-based produce company, was the supplier of the fresh onions used in restaurants affected by the outbreak, and that they came from a single distribution point.

In a statement Friday, Taylor Farms said it had proactively recalled yellow onions shipped to its customers from its Colorado facility and is continuing to work with the CDC and FDA as they investigate.

“We are saddened to see the illnesses and the people and families affected” by the outbreak, the family-owned business said.

McDonald’s pulled the Quarter Pounder burger from menus in several states, primarily in the Midwest and mountain states, when the outbreak was announced Tuesday.

The new cases reported Friday represented a sharp increase from the original count of 49 in 10 states. The majority of illnesses were reported in Colorado, with 26 cases. At least 13 people fell ill in Montana, 11 in Nebraska, 5 in New Mexico and Utah, 4 in Missouri and Wyoming, two in Michigan and one each in Iowa, Kansas, Oregon, Wisconsin and Washington, the CDC reported.

Some people who became ill reported traveling to other states before symptoms began. At least three people said they ate at McDonald’s during their trip. Illnesses were reported between September 27 and October 11.

McDonald’s said Friday that it has not removed the Quarter Pounder from other restaurants, noting that travel appeared to be a factor in some of the cases.

Taylor Farms directly notified its customers about the onion recall, but did not inform the public about the recall, an FDA official said. Companies often issue press releases and the FDA sends public notifications about recalls, but they are not required.

While it is unclear whether the recalled onions were the source of the outbreak, several other fast food restaurants, including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Burger King, onions taken from some menus in certain areas this week.

Restaurant Brands International, owner of Burger King, said 5% of its restaurants use whole onions distributed by Taylor Farms facilities in Colorado. Employees wash, peel and cut them.

Although it was not contacted by health officials and had no signs of illness, Restaurant Brands said it asked restaurants that received onions from the Colorado facility to dispose of them.

The outbreak involves infections with E. coli 0157:H7, a type of bacteria that produces a dangerous toxin. It causes about 74,000 infections in the U.S. annually, leading to more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths each year, according to the CDC.

People sickened by the outbreak have already sued McDonald’s, according to court records. According to her lawsuit, Clarissa DeBock ate food from a local McDonald’s in Nebraska on September 18, became ill on September 23, and sought emergency care two days later before she was diagnosed with an E. coli infection.

Symptoms of E. coli poisoning can occur quickly, one to two days after eating contaminated food. They usually include fever, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, and signs of dehydration: little or no urination, increased thirst, and dizziness. The infection is especially dangerous for children under 5 years old, elderly people, pregnant people, or people who have weakened immune systems.

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AP Business Reporter Dee-Ann Durbin contributed reporting from Detroit.