McDonald’s has stopped selling Quarter Pounder burgers at about one-fifth of its U.S. restaurants as federal health officials investigate the issue. Escherichia coli outbreak This has resulted in nearly 50 cases in 10 states and one death.
A McDonald’s spokesperson said Wednesday that the fast food chain sold about 1 million Quarter Pounders during the outbreak. The company said it believes more people would have gotten sick if the contamination had come from the patty itself, adding that the onions used in the burgers could have been the culprit.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday linked mcdonalds Quarter Pounder hamburger outbreak sickens people in Colorado, Nebraska, and other mountain and western states. The CDC said most people who became ill reported eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, and investigators are working to determine which ingredients were contaminated.
What causes E. coli outbreaks?
Cesar Piña, the company’s chief North American supply chain officer, said in a statement Tuesday that the company’s initial investigation indicates some of the E. coli illnesses may be linked to the shredded onions used in the Quarter Pounder. He said it was suggested.
McDonald’s hamburgers are cooked at 175 degrees, which is higher than the 160 degrees needed to kill E. coli, a company spokesperson said.
However, the shredded onions used as toppings on Quarter Pounder burgers sold in the affected areas were not cooked and were sourced from a single supplier.
“If that is the source, this would be the first time that onions have been a carrier of this strain of E. coli,” the spokesperson said.
McDonald’s is offering sliced ​​onions and quarters from select stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming and Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Removed pound beef patty.
To date, a total of 49 E. coil cases associated with the Quarter Pounder have been reported. Most of the illnesses have occurred in Colorado and Nebraska, with 26 cases in Colorado and nine in the latter, according to the CDC. Of the 26 people who became ill in Colorado, one elderly person died, according to the CDC. Health officials in Utah and Wyoming each reported four cases. Other states reporting illness include Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon and Wisconsin.
At least 10 people are hospitalized. The illness began at the end of September, and the latest incident occurred on October 11th.
According to the CDC, one child is hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.
What you need to know about E. coli
It usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is involved in an outbreak. Most people infected with toxin-producing E. coli bacteria experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Most recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.
That said, Donald Schaffner, a food safety expert at Rutgers University, said the incubation period for E. coli is only a few days, so the disease could quickly become apparent to those affected. “If you ate these burgers in September and it’s now mid-October and you haven’t gotten sick, you’re probably fine,” he says.
If you develop serious symptoms after eating a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder, we recommend calling your health care provider. E. coli symptomslike this:
Diarrhea and fever above 102°F
– Diarrhea that continues for more than 3 days and does not improve
– Bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and inability to keep fluids down Signs of dehydration include:
– Decreased urination volume
– Dryness of the mouth and throat
-Feel dizzy when standing up
Concerns about one of McDonald’s most popular menu items come as the fast food chain tries to attract consumers who are still smart about soaring food prices. This summer, the company Started a meal worth $5 This is to attract customers from low-income groups.
McDonald’s stock fell more than 5% just before the close of trading on Wednesday.
This is not the first time that a connection to the Golden Arches has been made. It was all the rage in 2018 intestinal disease More than 500 people in more than a dozen states have become ill related to McDonald’s salads.
contributed to this report.
