McDonald’s has resumed selling its Quarter Pounder burgers across all U.S. locations after determining that its beef patties were not responsible for a recent E. coli outbreak, which has led to one death and multiple illnesses.
Tests conducted by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) on the patties showed no presence of the bacteria, and no further testing is planned.
Last week, McDonald’s temporarily halted sales of the Quarter Pounder in about 20% of its U.S. stores as a precaution.
According to Cesar Piña, Chief Supply Chain Officer for McDonald’s North America, the contamination issue appears to be limited to a specific ingredient and area, with all affected products now removed from the supply chain.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had previously identified slivered onions used in the burgers as a possible source of contamination.
McDonald’s has since stopped using the supplier of these onions and removed them from its inventory.
Around 900 locations, which previously used onions from Taylor Farms in Colorado Springs, will now sell Quarter Pounders without them.
McDonald’s is facing lawsuits from individuals who fell ill, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised anyone who consumed a Quarter Pounder and experienced symptoms like diarrhea, fever, or vomiting to seek medical help. While most affected individuals recover within a week, severe cases may require hospitalization. McDonald’s stock has dropped over 7.5% since the CDC initially reported the outbreak.
In July, the fast-food giant also reported an unexpected dip in global sales, marking its first quarterly decline in over three years. Both McDonald’s and competitors like Burger King have been concentrating on providing more appealing value meals as rising prices continue to impact lower-income customers.
