McDonald E. Coli Outbreak: According to a recent U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate, at least 104 people in 14 states have been sickened by a major E. coli outbreak connected to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. Linked to the onions consumed on the popular burgers, the outbreak has resulted in one fatality and 34 hospital visits.
Complications from the bacterial illness claimed the 88-year-old Grand Junction, Colorado male victim. Four further patients have also developed a serious kidney condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Affected states included Colorado (30 instances), Montana (19), and Nebraska (13), among others; the reported illnesses span September 12, through October 21. States including North Carolina, Kansas, and Michigan claimed less cases.
An onion supplier from California, Taylor Farms has recalled possibly tainted onions. Tests carried out by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) however revealed a harmful strain of E. coli in an onion sample that did not exactly match the strain responsible for the infections. Still, McDonald’s opted to cut off buying Colorado’s Taylor Farms onions.
Early on in the epidemic, McDonald’s took Quarter Pounders off menus in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, and Utah among other areas affected. Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, have temporarily taken onions off of certain of its menus as a safety step. Concurrently, Restaurant Brands International, Burger King’s parent company, has eliminated onions from at least one Colorado outlet.
Maria Gonzales, Longmont, Colorado Burger King manager, said, “We are acting out of abundance of caution and taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our customers.”
The CDC underlines that the public’s risk is still low since the onions linked to the epidemic have already passed their expiration date and are not now in use. Still, physicians caution, particularly for children under five as E. coli can cause extreme dehydration and kidney damage. Usually showing one to two days, an E. coli infection causes fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness.
McDonald’s reassured consumers that the beef patties were not the cause of the contamination and said on October 25 that Quarter Pounders without sliced onions have been reinstated at the impacted outlets. It has also involved fresh onion suppliers to guarantee food safety criteria are complied with.
While most E. coli infections pass in a week, severe ones call for quick medical intervention. Those who have symptoms following a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder should seek medical assistance, advised health experts.
This epidemic serves as a sobering warning of the possible hazards to food safety connected to extensive fast food distribution networks. Customers are advised to be alert as the probe keeps on.
