In a proactive response to a serious E. coli outbreak linked to its popular Quarter Pounder hamburgers, McDonald’s has moved to assure customers about the safety of its U.S. restaurants.
The fast-food chain removed Quarter Pounders from about 20% of its locations on Tuesday after the outbreak, which has reportedly affected at least 49 individuals across 10 states, was confirmed by health authorities. This outbreak has led to one recorded death and ten hospitalizations.
Preliminary investigations by health regulators indicate that fresh raw slivered onions used in Quarter Pounder hamburgers may be the source of the contamination. Although McDonald’s includes raw slivered onions in its breakfast sandwich menu, this particular item is not sold in the affected areas. Other burgers, such as the Big Mac, utilize cooked onions.
As part of its response, McDonald’s is actively seeking a new regional supplier for fresh onions. As a precaution, Quarter Pounders have been taken off the menu in several states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.
Local customer Adriean Madden expressed concerns when visiting a Denver McDonald’s, stating he was unsure about the specifics of E. coli transmission and believed the company should communicate more effectively during such incidents.
Colorado currently leads with the highest number of reported cases, including the sole death, which involved an older individual.
McDonald’s has been collaborating closely with federal food safety authorities since being alerted to the outbreak, emphasizing the complexity of tracing the source due to the widespread popularity of its menu offerings.
The fast-food chain operates over 14,000 locations in the U.S. and serves approximately one million Quarter Pounders every two weeks within the impacted 12-state region.
Despite the current crisis, experts have recognized McDonald’s stringent food safety measures. The company has stated that its suppliers routinely conduct tests on onions for E. coli contamination.
However, some experts have questioned the decision to limit the menu removal to just one item rather than closing affected restaurants completely. They advocate for a thorough cleaning and investigation process to ensure customer safety.
In its defense, McDonald’s stated that no issues had been identified in its food preparation practices during the investigation, claiming that any contaminated products have likely passed through its supply chain.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating the outbreak, with reported infections occurring from September 27 to October 11 across several states. State and local health officials are interviewing individuals about their recent dining experiences to get to the root of the issue.
McDonald’s believes it is unlikely that the beef itself is the source of the outbreak, citing its multiple suppliers and high cooking temperatures that effectively eradicate E. coli.
Initial findings suggest that the illnesses may be linked to onions sourced from a specific supplier, with McDonald’s emphasizing that these onions are cleaned and sliced before being packaged for use.
Health experts note that symptoms of E. coli infection typically manifest quickly, and consumers who have not experienced illness after eating the implicated burgers in September are likely safe.
Overall, E. coli causes approximately 74,000 infections annually in the U.S., leading to over 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths, according to CDC statistics. Notably, E. coli infections have been lower this year compared to previous years.
While outbreaks at restaurant chains are infrequent, historical precedents highlight the potential severity of food safety issues. McDonald’s is anticipated to navigate this incident effectively due to its robust safety protocols.
Following this incident, McDonald’s shares fell by 5% on Wednesday.
