Has McDonald’s recalled Quarter Pounder? What we know about the E. coli outbreak

An E. coli outbreak has been linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, according to a food safety alert issued today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This is a rapidly moving outbreak investigation,” the CDC said in its report.
“Most of those sickened report eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers from McDonald’s, and investigators are working quickly to determine which food ingredient is contaminated. McDonald’s has withdrawn the ingredients for these burgers and they are not available for sale in some states.”

To date, 49 cases, 10 hospitalizations and one death have been recorded in connection with the E. coli outbreak.

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One of the people involved in the outbreak also developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure.

According to the CDC, the outbreak has been observed in 10 states. Many of the cases focused on stores in Colorado and Nebraska.

Although McDonald’s has not yet issued a recall for an item, the company is cooperating with the investigation to find out which ingredient is making people sick. So far, the company has eliminated the use of onion slices and quarter-pound beef patties in several states: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

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“Across the McDonald’s system, serving customers safely in every single restaurant, every day is a top priority and something we will never compromise on,” Cesar Piña, SVP and chief supply chain officer of McDonald’s North America, said in a statement Opinion. “That’s why we take quick and decisive action following an E. coli outbreak in certain states.”

He added: “We are working in close partnership with our suppliers to restock the Quarter Pounder in the coming weeks (timing varies depending on local market). “In the meantime, all other menu items, including other beef products (including the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble and the Double Cheeseburger) are unaffected and are available.”

Anyone who has eaten a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder and has E. coli symptoms should contact a doctor immediately.

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E. coli symptoms include diarrhea and fever over 102 degrees. It may also manifest as vomiting and the inability to keep down liquids, as well as signs of dehydration such as inability to pee, dizziness, and dry mouth/throat.

Symptoms typically begin three to four days after consuming the bacteria.

While some E. coli bacteria cause hospitalization and even death, most people recover in five to seven days without medical attention.

So far, the outbreak has been focused on Quarter Pounders eaten between September 27 and October 11, but many more cases could be reported since it often takes three to four weeks for a person with a particular disease to become ill Bacterial outbreak is associated. Many clients recover on their own and never seek medical attention.

After news of the outbreak broke, McDonald’s shares fell 10 percent in after-hours trading.

There have also been customer recalls of many other foods in recent months. BrucePAC has recalled 10 million pounds of meat and poultry due to reports of listeria.

Meanwhile, other frozen waffle and pancake products at major retail stores have been recalled over similar listeria concerns.

These included top brands Albertson’s, Aldi, Dollar General, Kroger, Publix, Target and Walmart.

“If it seems like you hear about a food recall or an outbreak involving an important food item almost every day, you’re right,” Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog director for the Public Interest Research Group, said in a statement.

“We have had a variety of issues this year, ranging from lunch meat to eggs and pickles. Hundreds of people have become seriously ill in recent months because of something they ate – and some have even died. This has to stop.” “

Murray said most bacterial outbreaks are due to poor hygiene practices, such as someone handling food and not washing their hands. In other cases, plants are grown near farms where animals live and contaminate the food with feces runoff.

“The terrible thing about food poisoning is that we don’t know it’s there,” Murray said. “We buy food and eat products in good faith. You generally can’t see, smell or taste E. coli, salmonella or listeria.”

Newsweek I emailed McDonald’s for comment.