It was stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States that they have provided an update to their investigation into an epidemic of E. coli illnesses that began on October 22 and spread throughout the nation. As of the time that this article was written, there have been a total of 75 instances documented, with 26 new cases being reported, and three states have been added to the list, bringing the total number of affected places to thirteen.
The vast majority of those who were afflicted by the epidemic said that they had consumed a Quarter Pounder hamburger from McDonald’s before to falling ill. This swift investigation is seeking to determine the source of the contamination in conjunction with McDonald’s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies in charge of public health administration.
McDonald’s issued a statement on its website claiming that “the issue appears to be contained to particular component and geography, and we remain very confident that any polluted product related to this outbreak was removed from our supply chain and is out of all McDonald’s restaurants.” This is despite the fact that the Food Safety Alert issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to state that “it is not yet known which specific food ingredient is contaminated.”
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided preliminary traceback information, which indicates that onions are a probable source of contamination. The FDA is now working with great speed to discover and ascertain if these onions were utilized or sold elsewhere.
Onions are being brought back by regional supplier Taylor Farms, while McDonald’s is bringing back the Quarter Pounder
On October 25, Taylor Farms announced a recall of onions, noting that “Our priority remains the health and safety of our consumers.” This was a direct consequence of the contamination. We have taken preventative measures to recall yellow onions harvested from our Taylor Farms plant in Colorado. These onions were distributed to a limited number of foodservice clients.
According to a statement posted on McDonald’s website, “The 900 restaurants that have traditionally received slivered onions from the Colorado Springs facility of Taylor Farms will resume sales of Quarter Pounders with slivered onions.” These eateries may be found in the states of Colorado, Kansas, and Wyoming, in addition to some regions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Utah.
The proposal of the fast food business to “stop sourcing onions from [the Taylor Farms] facility indefinitely” and to bring back its quarter-pound beef patties was further reaffirmed during an earnings call that took place on October 29. The Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s, Chris Kempczinski, made the following statement: “The Colorado State Department of Agriculture confirmed on Sunday that they did not detect E. coli in the samples of burgers obtained from our restaurants and have no further plans to test.”
This lends credence to our analysis, which concluded that quarter-pounder patties were not the root of the problem…Our beef suppliers are now manufacturing a new supply of fresh beef patties in the locations that have been affected, and we anticipate that all restaurants in the United States will start selling quarter-pounders within the next week.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the danger to the general population is now considered to be very low.
Where exactly is the outbreak of E. coli that has been occurring at McDonald’s Quarter Pounder?
Since the beginning of the epidemic, the following states have reported instances of E. coli that have been linked to it: Colorado, with 26 cases; Montana, with 13 cases; Nebraska, with 11 cases; Utah and New Mexico, with five cases; Wyoming and Missouri, with four cases; Michigan, with two cases; Washington, Oregon, Kansas, Iowa, and Wisconsin, each with one case.
Between the 27th of September and the 10th of October, illnesses began to manifest. Out of the 61 individuals who have information that is currently accessible, 22 have been admitted to the hospital, and two of them have acquired a dangerous disease that may result in renal failure. In Colorado, there has been a confirmation of one fatality.
Due to the fact that it often takes three to four weeks for reporting to be accounted for in outbreaks of this magnitude, the actual number of people who have been afflicted is probably substantially greater and encompasses more states.
If you have symptoms that are associated with E. coli infections and you have eaten a quarter-pounder, this is what you should do
If you have severe symptoms of E. coli and have eaten a Quarter Pounder by McDonald’s, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that you contact your healthcare practitioner. The symptoms, which may begin anywhere from three to four days after the germs have been consumed, include cramping in the stomach, diarrhea, heavy vomiting, a temperature that is higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius), and/or dizziness.
Following five to seven days, the majority of individuals recover on their own without the need for therapy. On the other hand, major issues may emerge, which is why it is essential to seek the advice of specialists in the event that worries arise.