McDonald's Hamburger Infections Are Rising in the United States

Photo: Richard Drew Associated Press McDonald’s announced Tuesday that it is pulling the slivered onions from restaurants in the affected areas — as well as, “as a precaution,” the specific burger that uses them, called the Quarter Pounder in the United States.

Agence France-Presse in Washington

Published and updated October 25

• United States

The number of people infected with Escherichia coli after eating at McDonald's continues to rise in the United States, with 75 people sickened, U.S. health officials said Friday.

At least 22 people have been hospitalized, and 13 states are now affected, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. Two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to severe kidney failure.

The death toll remains at one.

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Of the 42 sick people interviewed, all said they had eaten at McDonald's, and 39 said they had eaten a hamburger.

The FDA is “using all available tools to confirm whether onions are the source of the outbreak,” it said in a statement.

Quarter Pounder and Onions in the Crosshairs

The investigation is ongoing, but “Taylor Farms, the supplier of slivered onions to affected McDonald’s restaurants, has initiated a voluntary recall,” the agency said. The supplier also has other customers, who have been notified, she added.

McDonald's announced Tuesday that it was removing the slivered onions from restaurants in the affected areas — as well as, “as a precaution,” the specific burger that uses the onions, called the “ Quarter Pounder” in the United States.

On Friday, the company said Taylor Farms supplied about 900 McDonald’s restaurants before the incident. The fast-food chain also said it had “made the decision to stop sourcing onions from Taylor Farms indefinitely.”

No cases have been reported to the FDA outside the United States.

Earlier this week, officials initially reported 49 cases.

At least two lawsuits have already been filed on behalf of people who became ill, the attorney representing them, Ron Simon, told AFP. For each, an amount of at least $50,000 is being sought.

One of the infected people, Colorado resident Eric Stelly, went to McDonald's on Oct. 4 and began developing gastrointestinal symptoms two days later, a statement said. He had to go to the emergency room for treatment.

“The McDonald’s E. coli outbreak will be one of the largest food poisoning outbreaks this year,” said Ron Simon, who represents a total of 25 people. “Through this lawsuit and others, we will ensure that all victims are fully compensated.”

E. coli causes stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, usually lasting three to four days. Most people recover without treatment, but some people can develop complications.