A deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has been declared over by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak, which affected 104 people across 14 states, was caused by contaminated slivered onions served on the burgers.
The true number of cases is likely higher due to many people recovering from E. coli without medical care. Colorado reported the highest number of cases with at least 30 people falling ill and one death. The outbreak began in late October when a recall notice was issued for the onions, and McDonald’s removed the ingredient from their menu.
After investigating, health officials found that nearly all those who fell ill remembered eating a Quarter Pounder with fresh, slivered onions. The fast food chain’s distributor, Taylor Farms, initiated a voluntary recall of the onions in October. Following the recall, McDonald’s stopped serving the onions and removed the burgers from menus in some states.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also closed its investigation into the outbreak, stating that there is “no continued food safety concern.” The company’s officials have expressed relief that the outbreak is over, with one executive saying that the CDC and FDA announcements provide “certainty and validation” that the risk to the public remains low.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/coli-outbreak-linked-mcdonalds-quarter-pounders-declared-cdc/story?id=116414621