**McDonald's Ensures Safety Amid E. Coli Outbreak Linked to Quarter Pounders**

McDonald's has reassured its patrons that ordering from its menu remains safe, despite a severe E. coli outbreak connected to its Quarter Pounder hamburgers. The incident has affected at least 49 individuals across 10 states, tragically leading to one death.

Preliminary findings by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have indicated that raw onions used in the Quarter Pounders are the likely source of the contamination. As a preemptive measure, McDonald's has opted to remove Quarter Pounders from the menus of 20% of its U.S. restaurants and is actively seeking a new regional supplier for fresh onions.

The company has been cooperating closely with federal food safety authorities since the potential outbreak was flagged late last week. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Tuesday that E. coli infections were observed between September 27 and October 11 in states like Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Colorado has recorded one fatality and 10 hospitalizations linked to the outbreak.

In interviews conducted by state and local health officials, all 18 individuals who were questioned cited eating at McDonald's, and 16 of these specifically reported consuming a beef hamburger, with 12 having eaten a Quarter Pounder. McDonald's noted the complexity of the issue, considering the volume of Quarter Pounders it sells—around 1 million every two weeks in the affected areas.

The fast-food giant points toward a single onion supplier as the likely source for the contamination. These onions, pre-cleaned and sliced by the supplier, are then tested for E. coli before being packaged for use in the restaurants. Despite the stringent food safety measures in place, McDonald's acknowledged the atypical nature of finding this E. coli strain in onions.

Food safety expert Donald Schaffner of Rutgers University mentioned that E. coli has a quick incubation period, suggesting that those who consumed the product by mid-October and did not exhibit symptoms are likely safe. Typically, E. coli bacteria, found in the guts of animals and the environment, can cause severe ailments such as fever, stomach cramps, and bloody diarrhea. Immediate medical consultation is advised for anyone showing symptoms.

Joe Erlinger, McDonald's U.S. President, expressed the possibility that the tainted product may have already exited McDonald's supply chain. The company remains committed to fully cooperating with the government investigation. However, Erlinger did not disclose the supplier's identity or whether it provides produce to other chains or retailers.

The news has had financial repercussions for McDonald's, with the company's shares dropping by 4.5% in early Wednesday trading.