At least 27 people in Colorado have gotten sick and one person has died after eating at McDonald’s and contracting E. coli, part of a 10-state outbreak identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC didn’t release any information about the Colorado resident who died, beyond that they were “older.”
People over 65 and children younger than five are at higher risk of severe illness from E. coli, a type of bacteria which causes vomiting, severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, often with blood. Most people recover without treatment, but some develop severe dehydration or kidney damage.
Across 10 states, 49 people have gotten sick and 10 needed hospital care, including one child. All of those who got sick reported eating at McDonald’s, and “most” said they had Quarter Pounder hamburgers, according to the CDC.
Disease investigators aren’t certain which ingredient caused the illnesses, but believe that slivered onions and beef patties are the most likely culprits.
In a statement, Cesar Piña, McDonald’s chief supply chain officer for North America, said the company has gotten rid of onions from the supplier to the affected areas, and temporarily took the Quarter Pounder off the menu in Colorado and other states where customers got sick. The company is working with the CDC to safely reintroduce all items, he said.
“We are working in close partnership with our suppliers to replenish supply for the Quarter Pounder in the coming weeks (timing will vary by local market),” he said in a statement. “In the meantime, all other menu items, including other beef products (including the cheeseburger, hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble and the double cheeseburger) are unaffected and available.”
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