November 1, 2024/Midnight
Erie, PA – At least 75 people in 13 states have reported being ill after having a Quarter Pounder hamburger from McDonald’s, and 22 have been hospitalized. The Quarter Pounder has since been linked with the deadly E. coli strain.
The first report of sickness was on September 27, and the most recent case was on October 10. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that there was one dead in Colorado, and the numbers of the cases might be higher than 75 because some people can recover by their immune system, and even don’t know that they have been infected with E. coli.
What is E. coli? E. coli is a type of bacteria lives inside our intestines, where it helps the body break down and digest food. Most E. coli is considered to be harmless, but some are potential threats to people health, because they may cause illness, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and sepsis. The symptoms of disease normally appear 3–4 days after consuming the affected food.
Almost all of the patients mentioned that they had eaten at McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger. The Food and Drug Administration and the CDC opened investigation. They suspected the slivered onions and beef patties that were only used for Quarter Pounders, because other dishes in restaurant were served with diced onion. However, they did not definitively state which food ingredient is the source of E. coli outbreak.
McDonald’s confirmed that their slivered onions supplier is Taylor Farms in Colorado Springs. Taylor Farms had voluntarily issued a recall on their onions for “potential E. coli contamination”. They also supply onions for many restaurant chains such as Taco Bell, Burger King, KFC, and Pizza Hut.
McDonald’s immediately stopped serving slivered onions and beef patties in their Quarter Pounder’s in their stores, in at least 12 states. This means that Quarter Pounder hamburger will not be available in these states temporarily until McDonald’s finds another supplier.
The fast–food company said, “Nothing is more important to us than the quality and safety of our food, which is why McDonald’s took swift and decisive action to protect the health of our customers.” Therefore, for now, the risk level has been significantly reduced.
Because of causing the E. coli outbreak, McDonald’s is now being sued by two people who have been affected. One of them said in an interview with NBC News that “It’s just scary , I guess, just because you trust them as a fast–food place. You’re putting your trust in them to provide safe food.”
The CDC announced that people should be careful if experiencing the symptoms of E. coli, such as diarrhea for more than 3 days, a fever that is higher than 102°F, or dehydration. If experiencing these symptoms, you should contact your personal doctor or go to hospital. For more information of this outbreak, you can click here.
