Washington: A troubling outbreak of E. coli infections tied to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder sandwiches, with several people across the US falling ill has been reported by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), raising concerns about food safety in the fast-food industry.
CDC has confirmed 49 cases of E. coli across 10 states, with ten individuals hospitalised and one fatality linked to the outbreak. Most cases have been identified in western and Midwest states, with ages of affected individuals ranging from 13 to 88.
The CDC is collaborating with McDonald’s and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to identify the contaminated ingredients. “McDonald’s has removed the implicated ingredients from their burgers, and they are no longer available for sale in several states,” stated the agency.
Preliminary investigations suggest that slivered onions may be the source of the E. coli contamination. The CDC noted that McDonald’s has stopped using fresh slivered onions and Quarter Pounder beef patties in certain regions while the investigation continues. However, no specific ingredient has been confirmed as contaminated yet.
The first case was reported on September 27, and the CDC is assessing whether the onions were distributed to any other businesses.
Following the announcement, McDonald’s shares fell by approximately 9 percent on the New York Stock Exchange. In response to the situation, the company stated that it has instructed local restaurants to remove slivered onions from their supply and has paused shipments to affected regions.
“We take food safety extremely seriously, and it’s the right thing to do,” said McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger in a video message.
E. coli bacteria, typically found in the intestines of humans and animals, can cause serious health issues, including severe diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever. Symptoms often appear a few days after infection.
This is not the first incident involving E. coli and McDonald’s; in 2022, six children in Alabama fell ill after consuming chicken McNuggets, leading to health inspections revealing multiple violations at the affected restaurant.
TRENDING | Paddington Bear awarded official UK Passport by Home Office
