McDonald’s Tries To Reassure Customers After Deadly E. Coli Outbreak

Despite a deadly E. coli outbreak related to its Quarter Pounders, McDonald’s insisted Wednesday that customers can order from its locations with confidence.

McDonald’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger stated in an interview with “Today” that the business has withdrawn the Quarter Pounder from its menu in the ten states where dozens of people were sickened, as well as in several additional states.

McDonalds Tries To Reassure Customers After Deadly E. Coli Outbreak

According to a preliminary study by the United States Food and Drug Administration, raw onions placed on Quarter Pounders are a potential source of contamination, and McDonald’s says its initial results indicate that some of the reported illnesses are linked to onions from a single supplier. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking into the hamburger meat.

“What’s important today is that we’ve taken the action to protect the American public and promote public health,” according to Erlinger. “We’re confident that we’ll see our way through this and will restore confidence for the American consumer to come to McDonald’s.”

The epidemic was reported late Tuesday by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It stated that 49 infections were detected between September 27 and October 11 in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. One person died in Colorado, and ten others were hospitalized. All of them mentioned eating Quarter Pounders, which are beef burgers topped with pickles, slivered onions, and a sesame seed bun.

E. coli has a short incubation time, so anyone infected would notice symptoms right away, according to Donald Schaffner, a food safety expert at Rutgers University. “If you ate these burgers in September and now it’s the middle of October and you didn’t get sick, you’re probably OK,” remarked the gentleman.

McDonald’s Tries To Reassure Customers After Deadly E. Coli Outbreak

E. coli bacteria can be found in animals’ stomachs as well as in the environment. Infections can produce severe symptoms such as fever, stomach cramps, and bloody diarrhea. People who suffer signs of E. coli contamination should seek medical attention immediately and disclose what they ate.

According to Erlinger, the infected product may have already made its way into McDonald’s supply chain. However, the corporation will work closely with the authorities and cooperate with the investigation, he stated. Erlinger declined to identify the source or confirm whether it serves other restaurant companies or grocery stores.

McDonald’s shares plummeted 4.5% in early trade on Wednesday.

SOURCE | AP