A McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburger has been linked to an E. coli outbreak in 10 states, which has killed one person and made 49 others sick, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Ten people were taken to the hospital because of the bug (E. coli O157). This type was also to blame for the deadly outbreak at Jack in the Box restaurants in 1993.
The CDC said that everyone who got sick had eaten at McDonald’s before getting sick, and most of them remembered having a Quarter Pounder. Slivered onions and fresh beef pieces are being looked at as possible sources by investigators, but the exact ingredient has not yet been found.
As a safety measure, McDonald’s has taken the sliced onions and beef patties out of shops in the states that were affected, such as Colorado and Nebraska. Bill Marler, a lawyer in the U.S. who specializes in food safety, said that onions have been linked to E. coli cases in the past, but beef contamination is less common because of strict food safety rules.
McDonald’s stock dropped 6% in trading after hours because of the outbreak. This could hurt U.S. cattle prices even more by lowering demand for beef. The fast food company has taken the Quarter Pounder out of restaurants in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming until it can get more safe supplies.
What is E. Coli?
It is called Escherichia coli and is a type of bacteria that is often found in the intestines of both people and animals. Some types, like E. coli O157, can make you very sick, but most are harmless. This type makes poisons that make people sick and give them stomachaches, diarrhea, and vomiting.
People usually get infections after eating or drinking something that is contaminated. Symptoms usually show up three to four days after contact, but they can start anywhere from one to ten days later.
Experts have warned that additional cases of current E. coli O157 outbreak may emerge as the investigation continues.
Source
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
ChiefsFocus is a dedicated news writer with extensive experience in covering news across the United States. With a passion for storytelling and a commitment to journalistic integrity, ChiefsFocus delivers accurate and engaging content that informs and resonates with readers, keeping them updated on the latest developments nationwide.