Very popular McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers has resumed sales across all U.S. locations, following confirmation that its beef patties were not linked to a recent E. coli outbreak. This outbreak led to several illnesses and one fatality, prompting McDonald’s to suspend Quarter Pounder sales last week in about 20% of its U.S. restaurants as a precautionary measure.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) conducted extensive testing on McDonald’s beef patties, all of which returned negative results for the E. coli bacteria. With no further testing required, McDonald’s has reinstated the Quarter Pounder on its menu, stating that the issue appears isolated to specific ingredients and locations. “We remain confident that any potentially contaminated products have been removed from our supply chain,” said Cesar Piña, McDonald’s North America Chief Supply Chain Officer.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had earlier flagged slivered onions used in Quarter Pounders as a possible source. In response, McDonald’s stopped sourcing onions from the implicated supplier, Taylor Farms, and has removed this ingredient from its supply chain. The 900 affected restaurants previously using these onions will now serve Quarter Pounders without them.
Despite McDonald’s proactive steps, the company faces several lawsuits from individuals impacted by the outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised that anyone who consumed a Quarter Pounder and developed symptoms like diarrhea, fever, or vomiting should seek medical attention, as symptoms may emerge up to four days post-exposure. While most recover within a week, some cases may require hospitalization.
The outbreak has taken a toll on McDonald’s stock, which has dropped more than 7.5% since the CDC‘s announcement last week. This comes amid challenges for fast-food chains, as McDonald’s and others like Burger King have focused on value offerings to accommodate customers facing rising prices. McDonald’s also reported a surprising drop in global sales in July—the first quarterly decline in over three years.
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