What We Know About the McDonald’s E. coli Outbreak
CDC and FDA traced 104 E. coli O157:H7 illnesses, 34 hospitalizations, 4 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and 1 death in Colorado to slivered yellow onions served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder sandwiches. Illnesses spanned 14 states with onset dates ranging from September 12 to October 21, 2024. CDC declared the outbreak over on December 3, 2024.
The Source: Taylor Farms Slivered Onions
Epidemiologic and traceback data pointed to fresh slivered yellow onions served on Quarter Pounders. The onions came from a single supplier, Taylor Farms, which initiated a voluntary recall on October 22, 2024, of yellow onions sent to McDonald’s and other food service customers. McDonald’s pulled slivered onions from Quarter Pounders in the 14 affected states the next day. Within weeks, contaminated onions had been removed from the supply chain and new illnesses stopped.
A Concentrated Mountain West Outbreak
The geographic pattern was striking. Of the 14 affected states, most cases were in the Mountain West: Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and Nebraska. This concentration matched Taylor Farms’ distribution footprint to McDonald’s. The single reported death was an older adult in Colorado, and was not one of the 4 HUS cases.
Ron Simon & Associates Among the First Filers
Ron Simon & Associates was among the first law firms in the country to file lawsuits on behalf of victims of the McDonald’s E. coli outbreak. Our attorneys represented customers who were hospitalized, children who developed HUS, and families affected by the death in Colorado. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against McDonald’s and Taylor Farms.
Why HUS Cases Matter
E. coli O157:H7 produces Shiga toxin, which can damage the lining of blood vessels and kidneys. Children under 5 face the highest risk of developing HUS, a complication that can require dialysis, cause permanent kidney damage, and in severe cases be fatal. HUS typically develops 5 to 10 days after diarrhea starts. Warning signs include decreased urination, extreme fatigue, and unexplained bruising. Any child who develops bloody diarrhea after eating at McDonald’s during the outbreak window should be evaluated immediately.
Your Legal Rights
If you or your child ate a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder in any of the 14 affected states between September and late October 2024 and developed laboratory-confirmed E. coli O157:H7 illness, your family may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, hospitalization costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. Cases involving HUS or kidney injury carry particularly significant value because of the severity and potential long-term impact.
Ron Simon & Associates is a food poisoning law firm that has recovered over $850 million for victims nationwide. Our E. coli attorneys focus exclusively on foodborne illness litigation and continue to investigate claims from this outbreak. You pay our law firm nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us for a free consultation at 1-888-335-4901.
