McDonald's E. coli Lawsuit: The 2024 Quarter Pounder Outbreak

The Outbreak

In the fall of 2024, an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 was linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. Health investigators identified the likely source as slivered onions from a single supplier, Taylor Farms, served raw on the burgers. The outbreak sickened at least 104 people across 14 states, hospitalized dozens and was linked to one death.

Taylor Farms recalled the affected onions and McDonald’s pulled them from restaurants in the affected region while the investigation proceeded.

The Lawsuits

Both McDonald’s and Taylor Farms have been sued. A proposed class action seeks damages for consumers nationwide and alleges McDonald’s breached a duty to disclose the contamination risk, while individual victims have filed personal-injury suits over their illnesses. E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe complications, including kidney injury, which makes the individual cases significant.

Because a specific supplier and ingredient were identified, the litigation involves the supply chain — a common feature of foodborne-illness cases, where liability can attach to the grower, processor and seller.

What Customers Should Know

Anyone who became ill should keep medical records and any receipt or purchase detail. As with other outbreak cases, a consumer class claim (economic loss) and an individual injury claim are separate, and the injury claims — requiring proof the illness came from the food — carry the real weight.