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McDonald's E.Coli outbreak: What to know
A widespread E. coli outbreak has been linked to a McDonald’s product, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). LiveNOW's Carel Lajara spoke about the outbreak with Dr. Matthew Wise, Branch Chief of the CDC's Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch.
LOS ANGELES - After a temporary removal due to an E. coli outbreak, McDonald’s has announced the return of its popular Quarter Pounder burger in hundreds of restaurants.
The outbreak, which resulted in one death and 75 cases of illness across 13 states, has been linked to slivered onions from a Colorado-based supplier, Taylor Farms. Beef patties were tested and ruled out as a source of contamination.
What caused the Quarter Pounder E. coli outbreak?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) traced the likely contamination source to slivered onions provided by Taylor Farms.
These onions, sourced from a facility in Colorado Springs, were used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders at approximately 900 restaurants, mainly in the Midwest and Mountain states.
McDonald’s response to the outbreak
McDonald’s promptly removed slivered onions from affected locations and stopped sourcing from Taylor Farms' Colorado facility indefinitely. Testing by the Colorado
Department of Agriculture confirmed that the beef patties were free of E. coli, allowing McDonald’s to safely reintroduce the Quarter Pounder, now served without slivered onions.
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E. coli breakout traced back to McDonald's
E. coli food poisoning linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states, including one person who died and 10 who were hospitalized, federal health officials said Tuesday. Dr. James Rogers, Director of Food Safety Research and Testing at Consumer Reports, joined LiveNOW from FOX to discuss.
Impact of the E. coli outbreak
As of Friday, at least 22 people were hospitalized, with two developing a severe kidney disease complication.
The outbreak has impacted states including Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, and New Mexico. Some fast-food chains, including Taco Bell and KFC, have also temporarily removed onions in response to the outbreak as investigations continue.