An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's has officially ended, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Although the immediate health concern has been addressed, McDonald’s is focusing on recovery efforts to regain its customers’ trust.
E. coli Outbreak Impacts 14 States
The E. coli outbreak affected at least 104 people in 14 states.
The illnesses started in mid-September and continued until October 21, with many people reporting symptoms like severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Tragically, one person, an 88-year-old man from Colorado, passed away as a result of the infection.
Health officials confirmed that slivered onions used in McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers were the source of the outbreak.
The CDC reported that a significant number of those infected were hospitalized, and some suffered more serious complications like kidney failure.
Fortunately, no ongoing food safety concerns are linked to McDonald's restaurants at this time.
McDonald's Swift Response to Crisis
In response to the outbreak, McDonald's took immediate action to remove Quarter Pounders with slivered onions from its menus in affected areas.
The company quickly worked alongside health officials to investigate the source, which was traced to onions supplied by Taylor Farms.
As part of their efforts to prevent further issues, McDonald's found an alternate supplier to replace the contaminated onions.
By early November, McDonald’s resumed serving Quarter Pounders with new onions.
The company also made sure to reassure customers that there were no lingering concerns related to the outbreak, and it continued to monitor the situation closely.
McDonald's focus was on resolving the issue as swiftly as possible while prioritizing public health.
Recovery Efforts to Restore Trust
The outbreak had a significant impact on McDonald's business, leading the company to invest $100 million in recovery efforts.
A portion of this money, around $65 million, was specifically designated to support franchisees who had lost business due to the outbreak.
The company targeted franchises in the hardest-hit states to help them recover from the effects of the crisis.
In addition to financial support for franchisees, McDonald’s is working hard to regain the trust of its customers.
The company emphasized its commitment to rebuilding its brand loyalty and ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
McDonald's views this as a critical time to strengthen its relationship with customers and move forward from the outbreak.
