In recent weeks, a huge health scare has emerged as many cases of E. coli have been reported, almost all of which are linked to McDonald’s. This outbreak has caused “customer visits to McDonald’s to drop around 6.4% across the country and 24% in Colorado, where the outbreak was most prevalent”. On Wednesday, October 23, the customer rate dropped by 6.4%; CNN stated that nearly 10% Dropped by Friday, the 25th. And in Colorado, a whopping 33%. This outbreak has caused Americans to raise serious concerns about food safety standards. This has prompted an investigation by health authorities. Many are wondering where this outbreak originated and how it got into McDonald Foods. The first case reported was on October 22, 2024. Some are still being reported as of November 12, 2024.“ The latest CDC numbers show at least 90 cases of E. coli reported in 13 states, up from 49 reported in 10 states on Oct. 22,” Symptoms for most people infected with E. coli start three to four days after they eat the infected food. Symptoms consist of horrible stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Most who are infected recover without treatment within a week. However, a small number of patients, around 2%, go on to develop HUS. Many people who reported symptoms were interviewed, and almost all stated they had had a McDonald’s quarter pounder before their symptoms. It is believed that the culprit of the outbreak is the slivered onions in the quarter pounder. The onions produced by Taylor Farms, a California-based producer with distribution facilities across the country, have been discovered as the most likely source of the outbreak. McDonald’s has discontinued using onions from Taylor Farms. Just a couple of days before the McDonald’s outbreak, Taylor Farms recalled whole and diced yellow onions “due to potential E. coli contamination.” What a coincidence: two contaminated products from the same manufacturer. The 900 restaurants that get their onions from Taylor Farms will continue selling Quarter Pounders without onions for the time being.

Kimberly Bowler, a freshman in high school from Grand Junction, Colorado, has been diagnosed with a very life-threatening case of kidney failure. In the days before Bowler became sick, she had been to a local McDonald’s multiple times, ordering a Quarter Pounder with cheese and extra pickles. Before the teen became ill, she had no previous health conditions and is now hospitalized due to her case of kidney failure, a rare complication of E. coli poisoning. Kamberlyn has been diagnosed with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome, which often happens when the E. coli bacteria attack the kidneys. She has received multiple treatments of dialysis in the hospital. Randall(Kamberlyns mom) said that her Kamberlyns kidneys are showing “some signs” of working again but that it’s not known how bad the lasting damage will be. Kamberlyn and Randall are planning to sue McDonald’s and have hired an attorney who has already filed two suits on behalf of other clients. But they are waiting until Kamberlyn is fully recovered before taking any legal action.