Crisis at McDonald's: E. Coli Outbreak and Its Impact

McDonald's is grappling with an E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounder burgers, resulting in one death and nearly 50 illnesses across several U.S. states. As the company works to rebuild public trust, it has removed the item from affected areas, while shares face significant decline.

McDonald's shares tumbled on Wednesday, experiencing their most significant drop since March 2020. The company is facing an E. coli outbreak traced to Quarter Pounder burgers, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting one death and nearly 50 illnesses across multiple states.

Joe Erlinger, McDonald's USA President, spoke on NBC's "Today" show, emphasizing the fast-food chain's commitment to rebuilding consumer trust. The company has swiftly removed Quarter Pounders from menus in affected areas to mitigate the outbreak's impact.

Currently, McDonald's is collaborating with the CDC to investigate the source, scrutinizing both slivered onions and beef patties. As a preventive move, a fifth of its U.S. outlets have halted Quarter Pounder sales.

(With inputs from agencies.)