A deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald 's Quarter Pounders has led to 75 cases in 13 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday, as it investigates the source of the spread.
All of the 42 people who were interviewed by the CDC reported eating at McDonald's, while 39 people reported eating a beef hamburger, the agency said.
Quarter Pounder hamburgers are a core menu item for McDonald's, raking in billions of dollars annually.
As the CDC and other federal agencies trace cases and work to contain the outbreak, McDonald's has pulled Quarter Pounders from restaurants in the affected areas.
Experts told CNBC that barring a more serious crisis, the damage to its brand may be minimal, as with an E. coli outbreak linked to Wendy's two years ago.
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McDonald, McDonald's, Burger, Taco Bell, McDonald's spokespeople, Price
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