McDonald’s E.Coli Outbreak 2024: What You Need to Know

As one of the most trusted names worldwide for a fix of fast food, McDonald’s is probably the last place you’d want to see an outbreak of E.coli. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which launched an investigation on October 22, there have indeed been a number of cases of E.coli infection linked to McDonald’s.

75 McDonald’s diners across 12 states have so far contracted E.coli. Of these, 12 have been hospitalized and, tragically, one has died. Read below to find out more about this outbreak and what you should do if you believe you may have eaten a contaminated McDonald’s meal. 

 Jump to Section

• Where Did the E.Coli Outbreak Occur at McDonald’s?
• Which Menu Items Are Responsible for the McDonald’s E.Coli Outbreak?
• What To Do if You Ate at an Affected McDonald’s Location
• What Is E.Coli?
• How Is the E.Coli Outbreak Affecting the McDonald's Brand?

Where Did the E.Coli Outbreak Occur at McDonald’s?

The CDC currently reports that 12 states have been affected by the outbreak of E.coli at McDonald’s. There have been 75 cases of infection reported so far, including 10 hospitalizations and one death. 

Currently, the states with the highest number of sicknesses suspected as a result of the contamination at McDonald’s are Colorado and Nebraska. Other states with reported cases of related sickness include:

• Iowa
• Kansas
• Missouri
• Montana
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Utah
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

The CDC also notes that this outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses and that the actual number of sick people is likely to be much higher than reported. This is because many people who become sick as a result of E.coli infection will recover without medical attention and therefore won’t be tested for E.coli.

Which Menu Items Are Responsible for the McDonald’s E.Coli Outbreak?

The CDC is currently investigating the McDonald’s E.coli outbreak, specifically connected to the chain’s quarter pounders. In the states listed above, McDonald’s has removed its slivered onions from the menu. The fresh beef patties used for quarter pounders — which are different to the frozen patties used for the chain’s other beef burgers — have also been removed. However, it’s unclear at this stage exactly which specific ingredient is responsible. 

Preliminary findings from FDA reviews seem to indicate that slivered onions (suggested to be supplied by Taylor Farms), which are served on quarter pounders, are a likely source of contamination and the resulting McDonald’s E.coli outbreak. While the beef patties haven’t yet been ruled out, it seems unlikely that they are responsible given the rigorous USDA ground beef and food safety standards to which McDonald’s adheres.

In response to the news of an outbreak of E.coli, President of McDonald’s USA, Joe Erlinger, released a video message explaining the importance of food safety to the chain. In the statement, he said, “We’ve taken steps to proactively remove slivered onions, which are used in quarter pounders, in select states. We’ve also made the decision to temporarily remove the quarter pounder from restaurants in select states.”

What To Do if You Ate at an Affected McDonald’s Location

If you suspect that you have eaten a contaminated meal from one of the affected McDonald’s locations and are experiencing symptoms of E. coli infection (detailed below), the FDA recommends that you contact your healthcare provider. You should report the symptoms and seek health care immediately.

It’s worth reiterating that not all states or McDonald’s locations have been impacted by the outbreak. In addition to his comments on the menu items believed to have caused the outbreak, Erlinger added that the majority of states remain unaffected.

Furthermore, Erlinger said that even in states affected by the McDonald’s E.coli outbreak, menu items with other beef products (aside from quarter pounders, which feature beef patties not used in other dishes) remain available. These other items use frozen beef patties whereas the quarter pounders feature fresh beef. 

What Is E.Coli?

E.coli, short for “Escherichia coli,” is a group of bacteria that can be found in the intestines of animals and people. Through various means, such as poor disposal connected to both human sewage systems and agricultural runoff, E.coli can get into the water supply, other parts of the environment and food products. According to the CDC, E.coli bacteria are mostly harmless. 

However, there are some E.coli bacteria that, if swallowed, can lead to sickness like diarrhea, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and other illnesses. In the case of 0157:H7 — a strain of E.coli that produces a toxin called Shiga — infection can lead to a serious condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure and even death.

In the United States, the CDC estimates that the type of bacteria associated with E.coli at McDonald’s causes over 73,000 infections each year. In turn, these infections lead to over 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths.

How Is E.Coli Spread?

There are a few ways you can get sick from E.coli poisoning. It could be contact with animals or environments where E.coli is present. Human infection with E.coli is often linked to the consumption of contaminated food or water. In the case of the E.coli outbreak at McDonald’s, people have been getting sick by consuming contaminated food.

Who Is Most Vulnerable to E.Coli Infection?

Those at greater risk of E.coli infection include children under five years of age, adults aged 65 and older and anybody with weakened immune systems. However, anybody who has eaten meals with contaminated ingredients from the affected McDonald’s locations (see above) could become sick. 

What Are the Symptoms of E.Coli Infection?

There are a few symptoms to look out for, and they tend to occur quickly — often within a day or two of eating contaminated food. They include:

• Bloody or watery diarrhea
• Severe stomach cramps

In the case of infections involving Shiga toxin-producing E.coli, this can trigger a serious condition known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is classed as a medical emergency. Signs to look out for here are:

• Little or no urinating
• Loss of pink coloration in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids
• Unexplained bruising or rash of tiny red spots
• Blood in urine
• A feeling of tiredness and irritability
• Decreased alertness

How Is the E.Coli Outbreak Affecting the McDonald's Brand?

While McDonald's is clearly concerned for the diners affected by the E.coli outbreak, it will also be worried about customer perception. Specifically, it will be worried about the impact this outbreak has on its continued financial growth. However, if historical outbreaks at McDonald's are anything to go by, the effect is likely to be minimal.

In 2018, CNN reported that more than 507 diners were affected with a gastrointestinal illness called cyclosporiasis, a result of a contaminated salad mix. Despite this, according to Stock Analysis, McDonald's revenue between 2018 and 2019 grew by 0.5% — a positive change of around $106.5 million. Fast forward just a few years and, between 2022 and 2023, it grew by $2.31 billion.

Nevertheless, there is mounting pressure on McDonald's to ensure that an outbreak like this doesn't happen again. Ron Simon, Managing Partner of Ron Simon & Associates — the firm representing at least two lawsuits relating to the current E.coli outbreak — is quoted by PR Newswire, saying, "The McDonald's E.coli outbreak will be one of the most significant food poisoning outbreaks this year."

Via the lawsuits, Simon aims to ensure "that McDonald's and its suppliers permanently fix the health violations that caused the food to become contaminated with E.coli." This means that, while the brand is unlikely to see a catastrophic impact on financial growth, there's hope that a future outbreak will be far less likely.

While this story continues expanding, it appears as though the E.coli outbreak at McDonald's is under control and the brand is working hard to remove all potentially contaminated products from stores. However, it's still important to assess yourself for symptoms of E.coli if you have eaten at McDonald's recently. If you suspect that you may have eaten contaminated food and you notice the above symptoms, the best advice is to contact your healthcare provider and seek medical attention immediately. 

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