E. Coli Outbreak Linked to McDonald's Under Investigation

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's has resulted in 49 reported infections across 10 states. The infections occurred between September 27 and October 11, 2024. Of the 49 reported cases, 10 individuals have been hospitalized, one person has developed a serious condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure, and one death has been reported in Colorado.

Preliminary findings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggest that contaminated slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders may be the outbreak's source. The FDA is working to confirm these findings and to determine whether the onions were supplied to other businesses.

Food safety lawyer William Marler has suggested that the widespread nature of the outbreak makes it unlikely that undercooked hamburgers are the source. Instead, he pointed to the onions as the more probable cause. Marler has been involved in food safety advocacy since the 1993 Jack-in-the-Box E. coli outbreak.

Marler Clark, a law firm specializing in food safety, has been retained to investigate the outbreak. The firm has previously represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illnesses and has recovered over $850 million for clients. The firm has litigated E. coli cases traced to various food products and against several companies, including Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John's.

The investigation into the current outbreak is ongoing.