An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has sickened dozens of people across the United States, with one fatality reported, according to health officials.
At least 49 individuals have fallen ill across 10 states, with the majority of cases concentrated in Colorado and Nebraska, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Tuesday.
Most of the affected individuals reported consuming McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers before experiencing symptoms, the CDC stated. However, health officials have not yet pinpointed the exact ingredient responsible for the outbreak.
“McDonald’s is working closely with investigators to identify which ingredient in the Quarter Pounders is causing the illnesses,” the CDC said in a statement.
As a precaution, McDonald’s has halted the use of fresh slivered onions and Quarter Pounder beef patties in several states while the investigation continues.
McDonald’s shares dropped by about 9 percent in after-hours after the news.
Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA, reassured customers that most menu items and locations remain unaffected.
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