Custom Care Medical internist Dr. Frank Contacessa discusses the symptoms of an E. coli food infection on 'Varney & Co.

' A widespread E. coli outbreak has been linked to a McDonald’s product, according to the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A total of 49 people across 10 states have reported infections after eating the Quarter Pounder hamburger from the fast-food chain, the agency stated in a food safety alert released on Tuesday. Ten people were hospitalized, and one death has been reported.

A majority of the infections were reported in Colorado and Nebraska. MCDONALD'S LINKED TO E. COLI OUTBREAK, CDC SAYS McDonald’s is working with several health agencies — including the CDC, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.

S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) — to investigate which ingredient in the Quarter Pounders is leading to the illness, the CDC noted. A widespread E.

coli outbreak has been linked to a McDonald’s product, according to the CDC. (iStock) In the meantime, restaurant locations in some states have stopped using quarter-pound beef patties and slivered onions until the ingredient has been identified. What is E.

coli? E. coli — officially known as Escherichia coli — is a type of bacteria found in the environment, foods and intestines of people and animals, according to the CDC. Harry Kopolovich, MD, chairman of emergency medicine at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Cente.