“We take food safety with the utmost seriousness, and this is the right course of action. Impacted locations are being notified today to recover affected stock, and they should contact their field supply chain manager or distribution center with any questions.

“We are closely collaborating with our suppliers to restock the Quarter Pounder in the coming weeks, although the timeline will differ by local market. In the meantime, all other menu items, including our other beef products such as the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble, and Double Cheeseburger, remain unaffected and available.

“We will continue working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are committed to providing timely updates as we restore our full menu.”

What is E. coli and how do you get it?

The Cleveland Clinic explains that *E. coli* is a group of bacteria that can cause infections in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, urinary tract, and other parts of the body. Usually, it resides in the gut without causing harm.

However, certain strains can lead to illness, manifesting as watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. The Shiga toxin-producing strain (STEC) is particularly dangerous and likely to cause severe illness.

You can become infected by consuming contaminated food. This includes undercooked meat or raw fruits and vegetables that haven’t been properly washed, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked the recent outbreak to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger. All reported cases had eaten at McDonald’s, with many people noting they consumed this burger before getting sick. While the exact ingredient responsible for the outbreak has not been identified, McDonald’s has already taken precautionary steps while the investigation continues.

Symptoms

According to the CDC, symptoms usually appear three to four days after exposure to the bacteria. Recovery typically takes five to seven days without the need for medical treatment.

However, the CDC urges the public to contact their healthcare provider if they’ve recently eaten a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder and experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fever higher than 102°F
• Diarrhea that lasts more than three days, does not improve, or contains blood
• Vomiting, especially if you’re unable to retain liquids
• Signs of dehydration, such as infrequent urination, dry mouth and throat, or feeling dizzy when standing

In severe cases, *E. coli* infection can lead to serious kidney complications.