STATEMENT: CDC links e. coli outbreak to McDonald’s

Government investigating 49 illnesses, 1 death in 10 states

WASHINGTON – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday announced that it is investigating a possible E. Coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s hamburgers. At least 49 illnesses have been reported in 10 states — mostly in Colorado and Nebraska. One person has died; 10 have been hospitalized. Most people who got sick said they ate a “Quarter Pounder” from McDonald’s. Other states reporting illnesses: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.  

The CDC says the source of the bacteria may be a different ingredient, not beef. McDonald’s says in several states, it has stopped using both its quarter-pound patties and  fresh slivered onions, which are primarily used on Quarter Pounders, while the restaurant chain and the CDC investigate the source of the contamination. The Food & Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are also involved.

Those most at risk for becoming seriously ill or even dying from contaminated food include senior citizens, young children, pregnant women and anyone with a compromised immune system.

In a statement, Teresa Murray, Consumer Watchdog director for the Public Interest Research Group, said:

“If it seems you’re hearing about a food recall or disease outbreak involving a major food item almost every day, you’re right. We’ve had a huge number of problems surface this year involving everything from lunch meat to eggs and cucumbers. Hundreds of people have become seriously ill — and some even died — in recent months because of something they ate. This has to stop.

“The awful thing about food poisoning is we don’t know it’s there. We buy food and eat products in good faith. You generally can’t see or smell or taste E. coli or salmonella or listeria. 

“The vast majority of contamination from salmonella, listeria and E. coli stems from poor sanitation practices. Someone handling the food didn’t wash their hands. Or crops are grown too close to farms where animals live and contaminate the soil and runoff with feces. Or products aren’t processed properly. Or companies don’t test products properly. Everyone along the food chain – producers, distributors and retailers – needs to do better. Our health depends on it.”

###

The CDC says anyone who ate a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger and is suffering from severe digestive issues, such as diarrhea, vomiting or signs of dehydration, should contact a medical professional and/or their county health department to report the incident. Report a Problem with Food | FoodSafety.gov

How to find out about food recalls

PIRG’s latest food safety report: Food for Thought 2024