It seems like McDonald’s is in the frying pan again—this time, not for their burgers but for what’s possibly lurking in them. Late last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tipped off the fast-food giant about a possible link between their iconic Quarter Pounder and an E. coli outbreak. It started small, but by Tuesday, things had escalated to 49 reported cases and one tragic fatality across 10 states. Not the kind of publicity McDonald’s was looking for.
McDonald’s didn’t waste time playing the blame game, though. As soon as the CDC made contact, the company huddled up with the CDC, the USDA, and the FDA, deciding to yank the Quarter Pounder from the menu in affected areas. About 20% of U.S. locations are currently without the beloved burger, leaving customers without one of their main go-to options. That’s a lot of beef to be benched, but better safe than sorry, right?
Investigators have been busy interviewing patients, trying to piece together the puzzle. So far, 12 out of 18 people with confirmed E. coli cases recalled indulging in a Quarter Pounder before falling ill. Suspicion is now swirling around two main ingredients: the beef patty, which should have been cooked to bacteria-killing perfection, and the onions, which might be the sneaky source of contamination. Given that the burgers are supposedly cooked thoroughly, the onions—coming from a single supplier in the region—are looking increasingly like the culprit. McDonald’s has halted onion distribution until things get sorted out.
As if the chain wasn’t already grappling with sky-high prices and efforts to win back customers, this outbreak couldn’t have come at a worse time. Investors are rattled, with McDonald’s shares down 5% amid fears that this E. coli issue could drive even more diners away. For now, it’s a waiting game—one with a lot riding on those onions and McDonald’s ability to clean up the mess.
(Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention | Associated Press)
