An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s has raised significant public health concerns across the United States. At least 90 people have been affected, with 27 of them requiring hospitalization and, tragically, two reported deaths. The widespread outbreak has drawn national attention as consumers demand answers. At this point, many have also started to consider legal action.
What is E. Coli, and How Dangerous Can It Be?
E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. Many strains of E. coli are harmless but certain strains, like E. coli O157, can cause severe illness and even death.
When ingested through contaminated food or water, harmful strains of E. coli can lead to symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.
Luckily, most people recover from E. coli infections within a week, but certain cases can become life-threatening. Unfortunately, for some, especially children, the elderly/seniors, or those with weakened immune systems, E. coli can cause kidney failure and death.
The strain involved in the McDonalds Quarter Pounder outbreak is E. coli O157, one of the most dangerous types. It can cause the most serious health complications which is why the investigation into how it could have happened and the source of the E coli is so important.
How Did This Outbreak Happen?
As with any E coli outbreak, everyone is left wondering how did it happen. The exact cause of the contamination has yet to be determined.
Foodborne illness outbreaks can occur at many locations along the long food supply chain, including during food processing, handling, or even at the restaurant level. This covers a lot of territory that investigators have to scrutinize.
One focal point of the investigation is the onion supply chain. Onions used in McDonald’s quarter pounder burgers may have been a key source of the E. coli bacteria.
In the past, contaminated onions have led to outbreaks in other settings before. Onions are grown close to the ground and can easily pick up harmful bacteria if grown in contaminated soil or if bad water is used to cultivate the plant.
Another possibility is the meat itself. Ground beef, commonly used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounder patties, is particularly vulnerable to contamination since the grinding process can spread bacteria from the surface of the meat throughout the product.
What Happened
On October 22, 2024, public health officials reported a major E. coli outbreak associated with McDonald’s. The outbreak has spanned 13 states.
The E.coli infection source has been traced back to McDonald’s quarter pounder burgers, particularly those served with onions. At this time it remains unclear if the contamination originated in the burger meat itself, or from contaminated onions. Some also speculate that the origin of contamination could have been somewhere along the supply chain. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are continuing to actively investigate the situation to learn more about where it all started. .
As of this article, the outbreak has affected:
- 90 individuals confirmed with E. coli infection
- 27 hospitalizations due to severe symptoms
- 2 deaths directly linked to the outbreak
This incident marks one of the most severe E. coli outbreaks linked to a fast-food chain in recent history.
The Public Response and Legal Repercussions
McDonalds is one of the world’s favorite fast-food chains. However, the recent news of the outbreak has left many consumers alarmed and fearful. The severity of this outbreak, with hospitalizations and fatalities, has spurred an intense scrutiny of the fast food industry and officials are taking a close look at the food safety practices.
Lawsuits have already begun to emerge. Families of affected individuals have filed lawsuits against McDonald’s.
At this time, legal experts anticipate that the lawsuits filed by families and affected individuals could evolve into a larger class-action lawsuit. Such lawsuits strive to hold McDonald’s accountable for any failures in food safety protocols that may have contributed to this outbreak.
What McDonald’s Is Doing in Response
McDonald’s has publicly expressed its commitment to cooperating with all health officials during the investigation. At this time, the food chain company has temporarily suspended the sale of quarter pounders in some locations as a precautionary measure. Also, McDonalds is reviewing supplier practices to ensure that contaminated products are no longer being served.
This isn’t the first time McDonald’s has faced a food safety scare, but the current situation is particularly concerning due to the number of affected individuals and the severity of their symptoms, and also the deaths that have occurred.
Moving forward, McDonald’s may try to implement even stricter quality control measures across its entire supply chain to prevent similar incidents from taking place.
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