McDonald's E. coli outbreak won't negatively impact Coca-Cola's sales, says CEO.

• James Quincey, CEO of Coca-Cola, stated that the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's, its largest restaurant customer, is unlikely to negatively impact Coca-Cola's sales at present.
• The Quarter Pounder burger from the fast-food chain has been linked to the outbreak, according to the CDC's investigation.
• McDonald's has temporarily removed burgers from some locations and taken steps to eliminate contaminated onions.

James Quincey, CEO, stated that the company anticipates no negative impact on sales due to an E. coli outbreak linked to their beverages.

According to Quincey, on Coke's third-quarter earnings call on Wednesday, the impact of the states affected by what's in the media so far is not likely to be significant to the business.

McDonald's is Coke's biggest restaurant customer, and their relationship has lasted for almost seven decades. Recently, CNBC reported that Coke provided marketing funds to McDonald's for its $5 value meal, which includes a small soft drink, to entice franchisees who are hesitant about deep discounts.

"We are a significant partner of McDonald's, and they are a significant partner of ours," Quincey stated. "We will assist them in any way we can as they navigate the challenges they are facing."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared on Tuesday that an E. coli outbreak in 10 states is linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers. The agency stated that 49 cases have been reported, including one fatality.

The CDC has identified two possible culprits for the outbreak: the onions and beef patties used in Quarter Pounder burgers. While these ingredients are exclusive to this burger, properly cooking the patty at the right temperature should eliminate the bacteria.

McDonald's has temporarily removed Quarter Pounders from several Western states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming, and has instructed local restaurants to remove slivered onions from their supply. The company has also paused the distribution of that ingredient in the affected area.

On Wednesday morning, McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger stated on NBC's "Today" show that he is very confident that customers can go to McDonald's and enjoy their classics. He also mentioned that swift action was taken yesterday to remove the Quarter Pounder from their menu.

The impact of the outbreak on McDonald's sales is uncertain.

The decline in restaurant spending has negatively impacted both McDonald's and Coke, prompting them to offer discounts and promotions to attract customers. While McDonald's has focused on discounts to bring back customers, Coke has marketed combo meals to boost its own sales.

Although consumer spending was slow, Coke's third-quarter earnings and revenue exceeded Wall Street's expectations due to higher prices. Despite this, Coke's shares fell more than 2% in morning trading.