McDonald’s Quarter Pounders Linked To Deadly US E. Coli Outbreak

An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers in the US has resulted in one death and dozens of illnesses across several states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a food safety alert, indicating that the contaminated burgers are making people sick, with early investigations pointing to onions as a possible culprit. 49 cases of food poisoning have been recorded in 10 different states, with one fatality reported in Colorado.

E. coli is commonly spread through consuming undercooked ground beef and unpasteurized milk. While any food can become contaminated, animal products are more likely to carry pathogens that cause illness. Vegetables can also become contaminated with E. coli at various stages of the food production process, including the use of animal manures as fertilizer. McDonald’s has taken steps to remove potentially contaminated ingredients from sale in some states while the investigation continues.