One of the most popular fast-food offerings in the United States has been linked to an outbreak of E. coli across the country, according to a report by the CDC.
49 people have tested positive for E. coli in the outbreak that has been linked to the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder.
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The first case was reported on Sept. 27, and more cases began to show up in the following day. Oct. 7 was the biggest day of the outbreak, with nine cases of E. coli reported across the U.S.
The outbreak does not seem to have reached Texas yet. Most of the cases are linked to the Midwest and Mountain West regions of the country, with Colorado having the majority of cases (26).
Through interviews with the infected people, officials were able to link the outbreak back to McDonald’s. In response to the E. coli cases, the fast-food chain has reportedly stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter-pound beef patties in several states. Some states have also halted sales of the Quarter Pounder altogether during the outbreak,
“This is a fast-moving outbreak investigation,” the CDC said in a statement. “Most sick people are reporting eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers from McDonald’s and investigators are working quickly to confirm which food ingredient is contaminated. McDonald’s has pulled ingredients for these burgers, and they won’t be available for sale in some states.”
They also said that the true number of infections is likely much higher than 49, and it may extend into areas where cases have not yet been reported.