McDonald’s Is Removing Quarter Pounders From Menus In 12 States Amid Deadly E. Coli Outbreak

Deadly E. Coli Outbreak

As of press timeI illnesses of people have been reported in 13 states, victims aged 13 to 88. The CDC has said that two people have developed a life-threatening kidney condition associated with E. coli called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

The fast food chain had previously voluntarily removing slivered onions, as well as beef patties, in Colorado and Nebraska where illnesses were first reported in customers who recently ate their Quarter Pounder sandwiches. The exact culprit for the outbreak is still unknown.

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The recall of the fast food burgers comes after 75 people have fallen ill, with 20 people having to be hospitalized for the illness and one senior citizen passing away. The outbreak has also forced Yum Brands (Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC) and Burger King to pull onions from their sandwiches out of an "abundance of caution."

The states affected by the recall are Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

The company says that no other hamburger items have been affected by the outbreak.

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While it's not confirmed, the FDA says that early information analyzed shows that uncooked slivered onions on the burgers are "likely" the source of contamination.

McDonald's faces its first lawsuit was filed by a customer in Colorado named Eric Stelly who says he fell ill after eating at a McDonald's location near his home. Colorado is the state that has the most cases of E. coli, with 26; Montana has 13 and Nebraska 11.

READ MORE: E. Coli Discovered In 2,000 Lb. Of Ground Beef Products And Food Inspectors Are 'Concerned' They're Already Being Served In Restaurants