1 dead in E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders: US Centers for Disease Control

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - At least 49 cases of E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders across multiple states have been reported and one person has died, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.

Noting that 10 people have been hospitalized and that health officials are investigating the outbreak, a Tuesday statement by the CDC said the cases have been reported across 10 states.

The specific ingredient in the hamburgers causing illness has not been identified, the CDC said, adding that McDonald’s is working with investigators to identify which ingredient is contaminated.

The fast food chain, however, has halted the use of fresh slivered onions and Quarter Pounder beef patties in several states.

McDonald's in a statement on Tuesday said: "The initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers.

"As a result, and in line with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply and we have paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area."

The symptoms of E. coli include stomach cramps and diarrhea, as well as vomiting.