McDonald's rules out beef patties as source of E. coli outbreak

McDonald's Sunday is associated with quarter pounder hamburgers. coli has ruled out beef patties as the source of the outbreak, which has killed at least one person and sickened about 75.

“We are very confident that any contaminated product related to this outbreak has been removed from our supply chain and is out of McDonald's restaurants,” Cesar Pina, the fast-food chain's chief supply chain officer, said in a statement.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture said all samples of many McDonald's brand fresh and frozen beef patties were E. coli, added that it has completed testing the beef and does not expect to receive more samples.

McDonald's said it will resume distribution of fresh supplies of the quarter pounder and expects it to be available at all restaurants next week, according to the statement.

Regulators were investigating whether McDonald's beef patties may have been affected.

The US Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Proper cooking kills E. coli in beef. McDonald's Quarter Pounder served with raw onions; Affected restaurants will serve burgers without onions.