McDonald’s Restores Quarter Pounder Sales Nationwide After E. coli Outbreak Clearance
McDonald’s has resumed sales of its Quarter Pounder burgers across the United States, following confirmation that its beef patties were not linked to a recent E. coli outbreak that led to at least one death and sickened dozens. Tests conducted by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) cleared McDonald’s beef patties of contamination, allowing the fast-food giant to reinstate its signature burger after a temporary suspension at approximately 20% of its U.S. locations last week.
Cesar Piña, McDonald’s North America Chief Supply Chain Officer, reassured customers in a statement, noting, “The issue appears to be contained to a particular ingredient and geography, and we remain very confident that any contaminated product related to this outbreak has been removed from our supply chain.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration initially identified slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder as a potential source of the E. coli contamination. In response, McDonald’s halted its relationship with the onion supplier and removed the ingredient from its distribution chain. The 900 affected McDonald’s restaurants, which previously sourced slivered onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility, have now resumed sales of the Quarter Pounder, albeit without the onions.
The outbreak has led to several lawsuits filed by individuals affected by the illness, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised anyone experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, or vomiting after consuming a Quarter Pounder to seek medical care. Although most cases resolve within a week, some may require hospitalization.
The news has had a significant financial impact on McDonald’s, with shares falling over 7.5% since the CDC disclosed the outbreak. This comes on the heels of a surprise global sales dip reported in July, marking McDonald’s first quarterly sales decline in more than three years as fast-food chains face rising pressure to offer value-based meals amid higher consumer costs.
