E-coli has been discovered in McDonalds across the US in their quarterpounders.
McDonald’s is part of an E coli outbreak investigation across 10 states due to their quarter pounders. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention issued a food safety alert on Oct. 22 warning that “dozens of people reported eating the quarter pounder sandwich at McDonald’s before becoming sick,” reports CNN news. During the first outbreaks of disease, a specific ingredient was not confirmed to be the source of the outbreak. However, the US Food and Drug Administration says the onions or beef patties were most likely to be the source of contamination stated CNN news. The E coli outbreak has resulted in McDonald’s taking its quarter pounders off the menu in about one out of five of its stores according to CNN news. Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma have all stopped using the onions and quarter pound beef patties, reported CNN news.
McDonald’s supplier Taylor Farms Colorado has removed yellow onions from the market “out of an abundance of caution,” said the company in a statement on Oct. 23 announced by CNN news. Furthermore, the distributor U.S. Foods has also issued a recall of four onion products due to the potential for contamination, says CNN news. A spokesperson from Taylors Farm has said that there have been no traces of E coli in tests of raw or finished onions, and they have never seen E coli associated with the onions in the past reported CNN news. Taylors Farms wants to reassure the public that they will continue to work closely with the FDA and CDC during this ongoing investigation, reports CNN news. Their priority is the health and wellness of their customers and consumers, as well as the quality of their products, reports CNN news.
This outbreak has caused other major fast-food chains to remove fresh onions from their menus at some locations, for example Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC restaurants. A Yum! Brands spokesperson added, “We will continue following supplier and regulatory guidance to ensure the ongoing safety and quality of our food,” reported CNN news. Burger King’s restaurants use onions distributed by Taylors Farms Colorado facility, however the onions arrive whole but are cut, peeled, washed and sliced by Burger King workers stated CNN news.
CNN news gave information about the seriousness of E coli infections, as it is a common bacteria and certain types can make you sick. Furthermore, infections can occur after swallowing the bacteria, often when contaminated in food or water. E coli can be spread through poor bathroom hygiene and the symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever and vomiting says CNN News. Most people who have been struck by E coli can recover without treatment within a week, however it can develop into serious kidney problems and even hospitalization, says CNN news. Seniors and children who are younger than five or those with weakened immune systems are most at risk according to the CDC, states CNN news. The new E coli infections from McDonald’s have hospitalized at least 10 people including a child and killed one older person, reported CNN news. Most of the illnesses have been reported in Colorado and Nebraska, says CDC but the agency notes that the outbreak may go beyond these states.
Since Oct. 30, new discoveries have been made by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, confirming that slivered onions served on McDonald’s quarter pounder hamburgers and other menu items were the most likely source of an E coli outbreak, sickening 90 people reported Reuters. Taylors Farms Colorado along with the Colorado Department of Agriculture ruled out the possibility of beef patties being the source of the outbreak says Reuters. This week McDonald’s announced it is re-adding quarter pounders, after temporarily taking them off the menu. Company executives brushed off potential sales hit from the outbreak, CEO Chris Kempczinski apologized to customers and said he was “confident in the safety of eating at McDonald’s,” reported Reuters.
On Oct. 29, a proposed class action lawsuit was filed against McDonald’s over the latest litigation on the E coli outbreak reported NBC News. The complaint needs court certification to proceed as a class action and is seeking damages exceeding $5 million for customers across the country who purchased contaminated products, states NBC News. The case will allege that McDonald’s failed to properly disclose that there was a risk of E coli associated with its menu items. Roy Willey, the attorney representing the plaintiffs said that “McDonald’s has a responsibility to source its products that it is going to serve other people from safe facilities. In the event they cannot guarantee that, then they have a responsibility to warn, ‘perhaps this product may be dangerous’ ” reported NBC News.
