Health officials in a recent update have said that the number of illnesses due to the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has risen to 104. Of these, 34 people have been hospitalised, four have developed serious kidney problems and one has died.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak was announced last month, though some cases date to September. A report in NBC News says that the CDC and McDonald’s have both pointed to slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders as the likely source of the outbreak. McDonald’s said last month that Taylor Farms, a California-based food producer, supplied the onions to affected restaurants.
Taylor Farms recalled its yellow onions on October 22. Fourteen states have been affected by the outbreak. Colorado has reported the most cases (30), followed by Montana (19) and Nebraska (13).
Several lawsuits have been filed against McDonald’s since the outbreak was announced, including a proposed class action. McDonald’s in an online statement on Wednesday said that “food safety is something we will never compromise on, and we remain committed to doing the right thing.” E.
coli bacteria usually live in the intestines of healthy people and animals and are known to be beneficial. However, there are certain strains that can cause severe cramps, bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. You might be exposed to these strains from contaminated water or food, especially if you eat raw vegetables and u.