McDonald's Quarter Pounders have been linked to a recent E. coli outbreak that has infected 104 individuals in 14 U.S. states, resulting in legal action and health concerns.
Following 34 hospitalizations and one reported death, McDonald's has had to deal with legal and public health issues while working to win back the faith of its patrons.
Overview of the Outbreak
The outbreak began in September and affected 104 people, with 34 requiring hospitalization.
Tragically, one individual in Colorado died, while others suffered serious complications, including kidney problems.
The cases were concentrated in Mountain and Midwestern states, with Colorado (30 cases) and Montana (19 cases) being the most affected.
Smaller clusters were reported in other states, including Nebraska, New Mexico, and Missouri.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak was linked to raw slivered onions used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.
Investigation and Response
To identify the outbreak's origin, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC began investigations.
They identified Taylor Farms, a California-based producer of onions, as the source of the contamination.
Following tests that found E. coli, Taylor Farms started a voluntary recall of sliced onions in October.
There were some unsolved questions, too, because the strain on the onions didn't quite match the one causing the infections.
As a precaution, McDonald’s removed Quarter Pounders from menus in affected states during the early days of the outbreak.
The company identified a new supplier and resumed full menu operations within weeks.
Officials have since stated there is no ongoing food safety concern at McDonald’s restaurants.
Health Impacts and Risks
Symptoms of E. coli infections may be severe, that includes diarrhea, abdominal cramping, vomiting, and dehydration.
In more severe situations, they could result in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a kidney condition that can be fatal.
The age range of the outbreak's victims was 13–88 years old, with older individuals and smaller children being the most susceptible.
According to CDC estimates, there are over 74,000 E. coli infections in the United States each year, which lead to 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 fatalities.
Foodborne infections continue to be a major public health concern on a global scale, frequently impacting the most susceptible groups.
The impact that tainted food may have on life is brought home by this outbreak.
Legal and Corporate Repercussions
McDonald's is now facing many lawsuits, including a class-action complaint seeking more than $5 million in damages.
Customers say that the corporation neglected to alert the public about contamination concerns and did not follow food safety regulations.
In response, McDonald’s issued public apologies and pledged to rebuild customer trust.
The company removed all onions linked to the outbreak from its restaurants and implemented stricter supplier checks.
McDonald’s North America supply chain officer stated the company remains confident in its ability to maintain food safety moving forward.
