Bethel Woche

A hungry customer holds a quarter pounder, paired with crispy fries and dipping sauces.

The quarter pounder, a staple item on the McDonald’s menu, is made up of beef patty, American cheese, ketchup, pickle slices, slivered onions and mustard. Sometimes, a quarter pound of satisfaction comes with more than you paid for. Since the beginning of Sept. 2024, over 10 states, including South Dakota’s neighbors like Iowa and Wyoming, have reported E.coli-related illnesses linked to McDonald’s quarter pounder. Unfortunately, there has been one death and ten others have been hospitalized.

E. coli is short for Escherichia coli infection, a type of bacteria found in various spots but specifically in the intestines of people and animals. A common misconception is that all E. coli are permanently harmful. In reality, it is working in your body to aid with digesting food, producing vitamins and protecting from germs.Very few strains cause sickness after contact with certain environments, animals or people. Three to four days after consumption, symptoms start to arise. The majority of E. coli patients recover without treatment within a week after facing stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, dehydration and vomiting. E. coli leads to a health condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome or HUS for short. HUS destructs red blood cells which leads to kidney failure, serious health problems or death.

In response to this outbreak, some McDonald’s locations have removed the quarter pounder from their menu, while other stores have stopped serving slivered onions with the burger. Since beef and onions are used particularly on hamburgers and the quarter pounder, investigators have reason to believe that either one or both ingredients are responsible as they work towards confirming the contaminated components. A favorite meal has become  the subject of a serious health hazard, leaving customers walking away hungry.