McDonald’s Invests $100-M To Rebuild Customer Trust After E. Coli Outbreak

McDonald’s is allocating $100 million to regain customer confidence following an E. coli outbreak linked to onions in its Quarter Pounder hamburgers, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The outbreak stemming from contaminated onions in the fast-food giant's Quarter Pounders caused at least 104 illnesses, with 34 hospitalizations reported across several states. I Photo: Mike Mozart, Flickr

Of the investment, $65 million will be directed to the hardest-hit franchises, the company announced.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified slivered onions on Quarter Pounders as the likely source of the contamination. The onions were supplied by Taylor Farms in California, which has since recalled the affected products.

The outbreak caused at least 104 illnesses, with 34 hospitalizations reported across several states. Colorado reported the most cases (30), followed by Montana (19), Nebraska (13), and New Mexico (10). The illnesses occurred between September 12 and October 21.

Despite the outbreak, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated, “There does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants.”