In brief
After extensive testing confirmed no E. coli in beef patties, McDonald's resumes Quarter Pounder sales nationwide, distancing from their onion supplier linked to the outbreak.
McDonald's has officially resumed the sale of its popular Quarter Pounder burgers across all U.S. restaurants, clearing its beef patties of any link to the recent E. coli outbreak that resulted in at least one fatality and numerous reported illnesses. Following tests conducted by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), the fast food giant has confirmed that samples from their beef patties tested negative for the bacteria, leading the CDA to announce that no further testing is planned.Last week, McDonald's had to halt Quarter Pounder sales in approximately 20% of U.S. locations in response to the outbreak. Cesar Piña, McDonald's North America Chief Supply Chain Officer, stated, "The issue appears to be contained to a particular ingredient and geography, and we remain very confident that any contaminated product related to this outbreak has been removed from our supply chain."The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had pointed to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder as a potential source of the E. coli outbreak. As a precaution, McDonald's has stopped sourcing from the supplier of the onions and has removed them from its inventory. The company further disclosed that the 900 restaurants that received onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility will now be offering Quarter Pounders without slivered onions.Despite the resolution, McDonald's is currently facing multiple lawsuits from individuals who contracted illnesses linked to the outbreak.
