A serious E. coli outbreak tied to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has left one person dead and dozens more ill across 10 states, prompting the fast-food chain to take swift action.
How Many Affected?
According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 49 cases have been reported, with the majority concentrated in Colorado and Nebraska. Hospitalisations include ten individuals, one of whom is a child suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome, a severe condition affecting kidney blood vessels.
What’s the Source?
CDC investigations have zeroed in on two potential culprits: fresh slivered onions and beef patties used in the Quarter Pounder. As a preventive measure, McDonald’s has proactively removed these ingredients in affected states, while a thorough investigation continues. Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald’s USA, assured customers that food safety remains a top priority.
McDonald’s Response
- **Temporary removal** of Quarter Pounders from restaurants in affected regions like Colorado and Nebraska.
- Continued availability of other menu items that do not include the implicated ingredients.
Shares in McDonald’s dropped by over six per cent following the CDC’s announcement, echoing the fallout from a similar outbreak in 2015 involving the Chipotle chain. Symptoms of an E. coli infection, such as severe stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and vomiting, usually manifest three to four days after exposure.
Seek Medical Attention
If you’ve enjoyed a Quarter Pounder recently and experience symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical attention. Most recover without treatment, but some cases can escalate to require hospitalisation.
As the investigation progresses, the CDC continues to advise caution for those who suspect they may have been affected.