A reported outbreak of E. Coli has been linked to the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. With at least 90 known infections, 27 hospitalizations, and one known death as of October 30, 2024, McDonald’s has taken the burger off the menu.
The cause of this outbreak has been linked to the slivered onions on the burger. These onions are stated to come from California-based Taylor Farms. Out of the seventy-five people who got ill with the infection, two people are reported to have developed a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.
Ultimately, McDonald’s stopped sourcing onions from Taylor Farms. Several other fast food restaurants have made the same decision to pull onions from some of their menus as well.
“We will stay laser-focused on providing an unparalleled experience…” said Chris Kempczinski, CEO and Chairman of McDonald’s. Kempczinski never spoke on the E. Coli outbreak in its earning report.
Customer visits to McDonald’s dropped by 6.4% across the United States alone just after the first day of the outbreak. The visits of customers to McDonald’s in Colorado, where the outbreak cases mainly occurred, have dropped by a whopping 24%. On the second day, the visits dropped 9% nationwide and 31% in Colorado. The following day, the visits declined 10% nationwide and 33% in Colorado.
McDonald’s eventually added the burger back onto the menu after the beef patties were ruled out as the cause. A proposed class-action lawsuit seems to be rolling around and was filed against McDonald’s over this outbreak. The lawsuit exceeds five million dollars for the damages done to the people who bought these sandwiches. We won’t know if the situation is worse than it is said to be until McDonald’s speaks on it.
