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E. Coli Outbreak

When Your Quarter Pounder’s Onions Become the Real ‘Onion Ring’ of Trouble
A deadly outbreak within the Quarter Pounder has been found throughout McDonald's in many different states throughout the country.
A deadly outbreak within the Quarter Pounder has been found throughout McDonald’s in many different states throughout the country.
McDonald’s/Allrecipes

Like to eat McDonalds? Well, hopefully, it is not the Quarter Pounder because if so, there is a chance of getting a serious outbreak of E. Coli.

An alarming health threat of an E. Coli outbreak has happened throughout the country involving top fast food restaurant chains known as McDonalds.

The E. Coli outbreak is linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. According, to ABC News, many people have been affected by it, “ At least 49 people are reported sick in 10 states, with 10 hospitalized and at least one dead.” 

After learning this news, McDonald’s took off the Quarter Pounder in the affected areas while telling their consumers, “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.”

However, if those who are reading are not familiar with what E. Coli is. Here is a short definition: E. Coli is a gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped, coliform bacterium of the genus Escherichia that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms. However, to put it into simpler words it is a type of bacteria that normally lives inside the intestines, where it helps the body break down and digest food. 

“All the states that are currently infected with this massive outbreak, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming,” information found by ABC News.

However, after some time, it does seem that the E. Coli outbreak has gotten worse than what it was at the middle of October. At least 75 people in 13 states have been infected and one more person seems to have passed in Colorado. CNN News reports, in total, over 80 people have been exposed to this and only two have been reported dead. According to, CNN News, more states have started being affected, such as Michigan, New Mexico, and Washington state. 

McDonald’s said in a statement that “the health and safety of our people and our customers is our top priority. While McDonald’s removed all slivered onions produced from this facility as of October 22, 2024, due to broad concern and our unwavering commitment to food safety, we have made the decision to stop sourcing onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility indefinitely,” the statement says,” also said by CNN News.

Overall, this article is to inform those from whenever to keep an eye out for all kinds of different outbreaks that could have the potential of happening at any kind of place with food and people.

About the Contributor
Nevaeh McClellan, Newspaper Editor-in-Chief
Nevaeh McClellan is a senior at Carterville High School and is doing the best she can to push herself. She loves to take walks in the park and play video games with her friends.  This is Nevaeh's fourth and final year in High School Publications and has been an editor for over a year now. Some of her hobbies are drawing, painting, reading, and bothering those around her for fun. She is hoping to go to college and become a veterinarian.