E. Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald's Declared Over by CDC

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the end of the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) Quarter Pounder hamburgers. The CDC officially closed the investigation into the outbreak, which affected 104 individuals and resulted in 34 hospitalizations.

The outbreak, caused by the E. coli O157:H7 strain known for leading to severe illnesses, was first identified on October 22. It was linked to the consumption of chopped onions in the burgers, which were traced back to supplier Taylor Farms, serving three distribution centers. Following the outbreak, Taylor Farms recalled several batches of yellow onions produced at its Colorado facility.

Infections spread across 14 states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, North Carolina, and Michigan. The CDC's update indicates the conclusion of a significant food safety concern impacting multiple states.

In response to the outbreak, McDonald's temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder from the menus of approximately 2,800 of its 14,000 locations in the U.S. The fast-food giant resumed sales of the popular menu item after ensuring the safety of its ingredients.

Furthermore, McDonald's reintroduced chopped onions from a different supplier back to its full menu to prevent a recurrence of the issue. The CDC's closure of the case signifies that the risks associated with the outbreak have been mitigated, and the affected product no longer poses a threat to public health.