AT LEAST one person has died and ten people have been hospitalized after an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.
Dozens of customers in ten states have become ill after eating at McDonald’s restaurants, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday.
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At least one person has died in an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter PoundersCredit: McDonalds
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More than half of the 49 reported cases are in Colorado, but 10 states are affectedCredit: Getty
More than half of the 49 reportedly infected are in Colorado, with a further nine in neighboring Nebraska.
The first reported case occurred on September 27.
The customer who died has not been named but is believed to be an “elderly” person from Colorado.
McDonald’s has stopped using fresh sliced onions and beef patties in Quarter Pounders after possible E coli contamination in several states.
It also paused sales of the Quarter Pounder in the affected states, although other menu items were not affected.
The company’s share price fell after news of the outbreak.
“All interviewees reported eating at McDonald’s before their illness began, and most specifically mentioned eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger,” the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warning reads in part.
“The specific ingredient linked to the illness has not yet been identified, but investigators are focusing on two ingredients in particular: fresh, sliced onions and fresh beef patties.”
Investigations are ongoing.
“If you have serious symptoms of an E. coli infection after eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger at McDonald’s, seek medical care and tell your doctor what you ate,” the warning reads.
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Symptoms of E. coli include diarrhea, fever greater than 102F, severe vomiting, and dehydration.
The CDC warns that the total number of cases is unlikely to be reported because “it usually takes three to four weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of an outbreak.”
The epidemic began on September 27.
Affected states include Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The CDC tells people to call their state health department if you have questions about the number of cases.
Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, released a video statement Tuesday night in response to the outbreak.
“I wanted to take a minute to update you on the news we’re spreading because food safety is very important to me and everyone at McDonald’s,” he said.
“Today, after close consultation with regulatory authorities, including the CDC, USDA and FDA, we have taken steps to proactively remove chopped onions, used in Quarter Pounders, from restaurants in select states.
“We have also made the decision to temporarily remove the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in select states.”
The McDonald’s E. coli outbreak
McDonald’s Chief Supply Chain Officer for North America, Cesar Piña issued the following statement in response to the E. coli outbreak that killed one and sickened 49.
“Throughout the McDonald’s system, serving customers safely in every single restaurant, every day, is our top priority and something we will never compromise on.
“That’s why we are taking swift and decisive action following E. Coli outbreaks in certain states. Initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of the illness may be linked to chopped onions used in the Quarter Pounder from a single supplier. As a result, and in accordance with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply and we have paused the distribution of whole sliced onions in the affected area.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are also temporarily removing the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in the affected area, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. We take food safety extremely seriously and it is the right thing to do today.
“We are working closely with our suppliers to restock the Quarter Pounder in the coming weeks (timing will vary by local market). Meanwhile, all other menu items, including other beef products (including Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac , McDouble and Double Cheeseburger) are unchanged and available.We will continue to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are committed to providing timely updates as we rebuild our full menu.
He emphasized that “most states and most menu items are not affected,” and that other beef products, including the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble and Double Cheeseburger were not affected.
The American Sun has reached out to McDonald’s for comment.
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