The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Tuesday that dozens of Americans have contracted E. coli linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.
A strain of E. coli O157:H7, which causes a serious intestinal infection in humans, has so far infected 49 people from 10 states. According to the CDC, the majority of the cases have occurred in Colorado (27 reported cases) and Nebraska (nine reported cases).
A toddler with complications from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a kidney illness, is among the ten patients admitted to the hospital. The CDC reports that an elderly person in Colorado has passed away.
All CDC-interviewed patients reported eating at McDonald’s before to being unwell, with the majority mentioning specifically Quarter Pounder hamburgers.
Although the exact cause of the infections remains unknown, CDC investigators are concentrating on two ingredients: fresh beef patties and fresh, sliced onions.
According to the federal health agency, McDonald’s informed the CDC that it has eliminated the usage of beef patties and sliced onions in Quarter Pounder hamburgers from its locations in the areas where cases have been detected. Therefore, in certain states, Quarter Pounders will not be sold, according to the CDC.
According to the CDC, certain strains of E. coli bacteria can cause illness, even though the majority of the bacteria are benign and a normal part of the digestive system.
Severe stomach cramps, perhaps bloody diarrhea, and vomiting are some of the symptoms of E. coli that usually appear three to four days after the organism is consumed.
Within five to seven days, the majority of people recover on their own, but some may get HUS and need to be admitted to the hospital.
The CDC advises anyone who recently consumed a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder and is having severe E. coli symptoms to get in touch with their healthcare practitioner right once.
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Cesar Piña, the chief supply chain officer for McDonald’s North America, stated in a statement on Tuesday night that the fast food restaurant thinks the incident is related to sliced onions “used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers.”
“As a result, and in line with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply and we have paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area,” as per the statement. “We will continue to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are committed to providing timely updates as we restore our full menu.”
