NewsMcDonald's axes quarter pounders amid E. coli scare in U.S.

McDonald's axes quarter pounders amid E. coli scare in U.S.

McDonald's has temporarily removed Quarter Pounders from the menu in about one-fifth of its U.S. restaurants. Freshly chopped onions have faced a similar fate. This decision was made in response to E. coli bacterial infections, which have been fatal for one person.

There is a lawsuit against the McDonald's chain.
There is a lawsuit against the McDonald's chain.
Images source: © Getty Images | James Leynse

6:34 AM EDT, October 25, 2024

According to information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 49 cases of E. coli infection have been reported in 10 states so far. Ten people have been hospitalized, and one person has died. Most of the illnesses have been recorded in the western and midwestern regions of the United States.

Extent of the epidemic

Most of the cases have been reported in Colorado and Nebraska. In Colorado, where 26 infections have been noted, one person has died. It is known that the deceased was an elderly person. A child is also in the hospital, having developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which leads to kidney failure.

The first case of infection was reported on September 27, but McDonald's announced the threat only last week. By Wednesday, about a dozen people admitted to eating a Quarter Pounder before experiencing symptoms of the illness. Other products, such as burgers, are not affected by the issue.

Searching for the source of contamination

Investigators suspect that the source of contamination may be onions, which are a popular addition to Quarter Pounders. The CDC and FDA are also investigating whether the patties themselves are responsible. McDonald's confirmed that its burgers are cooked at a temperature of 175 degrees Fahrenheit, which exceeds the minimum level of 160 degrees needed to eliminate E. coli bacteria.

Preliminary findings indicate that infections occurred at many restaurants, suggesting that improper food handling at a particular location is unlikely to be at fault. The company stated that restaurants use different meat suppliers, but they share one onion supplier—the California-based company Taylor Farms, one of the largest vegetable processors in the world.

Taylor Farms, which collaborates with companies including US Foods, announced its own recall of certain batches of onions, even though internal tests did not show the presence of E. coli bacteria.

Meanwhile, Yum! Brands, which owns Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC, is monitoring the situation and announced that it will preventively remove fresh onions from selected locations in the United States. The company did not disclose how many restaurants are affected by this decision.

Impact on McDonald's

After the news of the outbreak was announced, McDonald's shares fell 7% on Wednesday, but they have since recovered slightly. The company stated that it is too early to assess how this will affect sales. McDonald's believes the problem has been eliminated from the supply chain and hopes that Quarter Pounders will return to the menu in the affected states within a few weeks.

The decision to withdraw the products comes at a challenging time for the chain, which had already been struggling with decreased demand for fast food. Changing consumer habits have forced the company to rely heavily on promotions and discounts.

The first lawsuit

The first lawsuit related to the outbreak was filed by Eric Stelly, who fell ill two days after eating a meal at a restaurant in Greeley, Colorado. After receiving medical help, tests confirmed E. coli infection, and health authorities confirmed that the case is linked to the outbreak.

- Through this lawsuit and others, we will make sure that all of the victims are fully compensated for their losses, that their voices are heard, and that McDonald's and its suppliers permanently fix the health and safety violations that caused their food to become contaminated with E. coli, – said Ron Simon, Stelly's lawyer.

The lawsuit was filed in Chicago, where McDonald's headquarters is located.

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