McDonald's Linked To One Death, Dozens Of Food Poisonings In US

A person died and 49 others fell ill following an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburgers, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak has primarily affected residents in the US states of Colorado and Nebraska. The slivered onions used in the burgers are suspected to be the source of contamination.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. While most strains of E. coli are harmless and help maintain gut health, some can cause serious foodborne illness.

E. coli outbreak at McDonald's: What's happening?

The CDC, along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), identified onions as a "likely source," leading McDonald's to suspend sales of Quarter Pounders in 12 states, including Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Utah. The fast-food chain has also stopped using the onions in question, although investigations are underway to determine whether the hamburger patties themselves could also be contributing to the outbreak. The outbreak was tied to E. coli O157.