McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers linked to deadly E. coli outbreak
McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers have been linked to an E. coli outbreak that has killed one and infected nearly 50 others in the US.
There have been 49 cases of E. coli possibly from the popular fast food chain’s Quarter Pounders, including 10 hospitalizations, across 10 states.
‘This is a fast-moving outbreak investigation,’ stated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday.
‘Most sick people are reporting eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers from McDonald’s and investigators are working quickly to confirm which food ingredient is contaminated.’
The company has stopped using ingredients for the burgers. Which specific ingredient made people ill has not yet been determined, and the company is cooperating in the investigation launched on Tuesday to figure that out.
‘McDonald’s stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states while the investigation is ongoing to identify the ingredient causing illness,’ stated the CDC.
In the meantime, McDonald’s in stop states will temporarily stop selling Quarter Pounders.
Most people have been sickened in Colorado and Nebraska.
No recall has been issued.
The CDC recommends people contact their healthcare providers if they ate a Quarter Pounder and experience severe E. coli symptoms including diarrhea for more than three days without improvement, bloody diarrhea and a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
Other severe symptoms include vomiting liquids, dehydration including dry throat and mouth, and dizziness while standing.
E. coli symptoms usually start three to four days after consuming the bacteria. Most people recover after five to seven days without receiving treatment. However, some people can develop serious kidney issues and require hospitalization.
The McDonald’s E. coli outbreak comes just weeks after nearly 10million pounds of meat in frozen dinners and pre-packaged salads were recalled by the US Department of Agriculture for possible listeria contamination. The affected products were sold by distributors like Trader Joe’s, Amazon Fresh, Kroger and Jenny Craig.
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