### McDonald's Responds to E. coli Outbreak Linked to Quarter Pounders

McDonald's has assured customers that it is safe to dine at its restaurants, despite a recent E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounder hamburgers. The outbreak has affected at least 49 individuals across 10 states and resulted in one fatality, prompting an investigation.

Preliminary findings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggest that fresh onions, served raw on Quarter Pounders, could be the contamination source. McDonald's announced on Wednesday that it is seeking a new regional supplier for fresh onions and has removed Quarter Pounders from the menus at 20% of its U.S. locations.

The company has been collaborating with federal food safety regulators since late last week, following an alert about the potential outbreak. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the outbreak on Tuesday, noting that infections occurred between September 27 and October 11 in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. One person in Colorado has died, and ten others have been hospitalized.

Interviews conducted by state and local health officials revealed that all 18 individuals who were interviewed had eaten at McDonald's, with 16 of them consuming beef hamburgers, and 12 specifically eating Quarter Pounders. McDonald's noted that the investigation's complexity is due to the high number of Quarter Pounders served in the affected areas—about 1 million every two weeks.

McDonald's initial findings suggest that the illnesses may be linked to onions from a single supplier. These onions are cleaned, sliced, and tested for E. coli by the supplier before being packaged for use on Quarter Pounders. Despite rigorous testing and safety practices, McDonald's emphasized that this E. coli strain is not typically found in onions.

Donald Schaffner, a food safety expert at Rutgers University, mentioned that the incubation period for E. coli is just a few days. He reassured that anyone who consumed these burgers in September and has not fallen ill by mid-October is likely safe.

The E. coli bacteria, often found in the intestines of animals and the environment, can cause severe symptoms such as fever, stomach cramps, and bloody diarrhea. Individuals presenting these symptoms should seek medical attention promptly and inform their healthcare provider of their recent dietary history.

McDonald's is continuing to work with the government and participate in the ongoing investigation. The company has not disclosed the name of the onion supplier or whether it supplies other restaurants or grocery stores. Following the outbreak's announcement, McDonald's shares dropped by 4.5% in early trading on Wednesday.