McDonald’s E. coli Outbreak Update: Confirmed Cases Rise to 104

There does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants.

FDA officials in a statement regarding an outbreak of E. coli likely connected to slivered onions served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. According to an update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, currently 14 states have reported cases; the suspected onions were recalled last month.

Why It Matters: McDonald’s announced this week that its 900 locations affected by the outbreak have now resumed selling burgers with fresh onions after the company found a new onion supplier. The CDC update on Wednesday indicated 104 people from 14 states are reported to have been sickened from the E. coli outbreak linked to onions distributed by California-based Taylor Farms, with 34 of those individuals hospitalized. One Colorado person died and four people have developed a “potentially life-threatening kidney disease complication” since symptoms began developing between September 12 and October 21, 2024. The CDC also notes that the actual number of cases is likely much higher than reported; many people recover from food poisoning without needing medical treatment or having a confirmed case, and it generally takes 3 to 4 weeks for officials to determine whether a symptomatic case is part of a specific outbreak.

Symptoms of E. coli include diarrhea, fever and vomiting within a day or two of eating contaminated food.

Read More: E. coli cases climb to 104 in McDonald’s outbreak tied to slivered onions (Associated Press)