The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 75 E coli cases across 13 states have been associated with the outbreak. Credit: piyaphun phunyammalee/Shutterstock.

McDonald’s has announced the return of its Quarter Pounder burgers to 900 US restaurants this week, following their withdrawal due to an E coli outbreak. 

The fast-food chain will serve the popular menu item without slivered onions, as health authorities continue to investigate the source of the contamination.  

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The decision impacts around one-fifth of McDonald’s US locations. The affected outlets are in Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming, and in parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Utah. 

McDonald’s North America chief supply chain officer Cesar Piña said in an internal message: “The issue appears to be contained to a particular ingredient and geography, and we remain very confident that any contaminated product related to this outbreak has been removed from our supply chain and is out of all McDonald’s restaurants.” 

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has conducted tests on beef patty samples from affected restaurants but did not detect E coli.  Consequently, no further testing of McDonald’s beef is planned by the agency.

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Attention has shifted towards slivered onions from Taylor Farms as the potential cause of the outbreak.  

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As a precautionary measure, McDonald’s has ceased using Taylor Farms as a supplier for this ingredient indefinitely. 

Piña indicated that the company is instructing its beef suppliers to produce a fresh batch of beef patties for the Quarter Pounders.  

Customers should expect the reintroduction of the menu item in phases across all restaurants within one week, based on delivery schedules and resupply processes. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 75 E coli cases across 13 states have been associated with this outbreak, CNBC reported.  

Of the 61 patients with available data, 22 have been hospitalised, with two developing haemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe condition leading to kidney failure.