McDonald's has announced the return of its Quarter Pounder burgers to approximately 900 restaurants in the United States. This comes after the temporary removal of the menu item due to an E. coli outbreak.
The outbreak has prompted health authorities to investigate the source of the contamination, with slivered onions being the primary suspect. The affected locations will serve Quarter Pounders without slivered onions for now. The company is confident that any contaminated products have been removed from its supply chain.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture has tested beef patties from local McDonald's restaurants and found no traces of E. coli. The focus has shifted to slivered onions supplied by Taylor Farms. McDonald's has stopped using Taylor Farms as a supplier for this ingredient. The company is working with its beef suppliers to ensure a fresh supply of patties for the Quarter Pounders.
The E. coli outbreak has led to 75 cases across 13 states, with 22 individuals hospitalized and two developing a serious condition. McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger has publicly apologized to customers. The outbreak has impacted McDonald's stock performance, with shares falling 7%. The financial implications of the outbreak are becoming apparent as the company prepares to report its third-quarter earnings. Analysts are closely monitoring the situation. McDonald's swift action and commitment to food safety will be critical in mitigating the financial fallout.