McDonald's CEO apologizes to customers over E. coli outbreak

Brian Vendig, president of MJP Wealth Advisors, and Ryan Payne, podcast host of “Payne Points of Wealth,” discuss Big Tech reporting and key earnings and revenue estimates for McDonald’s.

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski apologized to customers Tuesday after an E. coli outbreak that has sickened dozens of people and left one dead was linked to its Quarter Pounder burgers.

“On behalf of the entire system, we regret what our customers have experienced,” Kempczinski said during the company’s earnings call. “We extend our sincere and deepest condolences and we are committed to making this right.”

“Hearing reports about how this is impacting our customers has been tough for us,” Kempczinski added.

The outbreak has resulted in 75 cases in 13 states as of Oct. 25, according to the latest figures from the Center for Disease and Control. There have been 22 hospitalizations and one death.

MCDONALD’S, BRUCEPAC AND BOAR’S HEAD: ARE FOOD OUTBREAKS RISING?

Scott Rodrick’s Stonestown Galleria McDonald’s restaurant. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images/Getty Images)

The last serious public health problem in the U.S. related to McDonald’s was more than four decades ago, according to Kempczinski.

After the CDC notified the company of the outbreak, McDonald’s removed beef and onions from its supply chain and Taylor Farms issued a recall for yellow onions.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is in the middle investigates or Taylor Farmswho supplied the chopped onions to McDonald’s in the areas where the E. coli outbreak occurred is the source of the contamination.

A sign advertises meal deals at a McDonald’s restaurant on July 22, 2024 in Burbank, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images/Getty Images)

MCDONALD’S SAYS BEEF UNLIKELY BUT NOT RULED OUT AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF E. COLI OUTBREAK

McDonald’s said it has indefinitely stopped sourcing onions from this facility.

Based on CDC epidemiological data and McDonald’s supply chain traceback data, beef was ruled out as the source of the outbreak. The company has instructed its beef suppliers to resume production of fresh patties expect Quarterpounders Available again next week in all stores.

Ticker	Security	Last	Change	Change %
MCD	MCDONALD’S CORP.	296.27	-0.59	-0.20%

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

However, chopped onions will not yet be available as a topping at locations affected by the outbreak.

Breck Dumas of FOX Business contributed to this report.