An outbreak of E. coli O157 killed one person and compromised the health of 49 others after eating fresh flaked onions and fresh beef patties used in McDonald’s Quarter Pounders
An outbreak of E. coli O157a dangerous strain of a bacterium that can cause serious intestinal infections, has recently been linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders ingredients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 49 people coming from 10 US states are sickand among themselves an elderly man from Colorado has died.
Another 10 patients were hospitalizedincluding a child who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication that can cause kidney damage. Symptoms of E. coli infection include abdominal cramps, diarrhea (sometimes bloody) and vomitingwith an incubation period of three to four days after ingestion of the bacterium. Although many people recover within a week without medical treatment, some, as in the case of the hospitalized child, may have severe complications.
The CDC is investigating to identify the ingredient responsible for the outbreak, with a focus on two potential sources: the flaked fresh onions and the fresh beef meatballs used in Quarter Pounders. As a preventative measure, McDonald’s has removed these ingredients from his restaurants In affected states, and in some areas, Quarter Pounders are currently unavailable.
The problem of a single supplier supplying three distribution centers
In response to the outbreak, Cesar Piña, Chief Supply Chain Officer of McDonald’s North America, said the source of the problem appears to be tied to a single supplier that supplies three distribution centers. McDonald’s has suspended distribution of the suspect onions and continues to work with the CDC to monitor and resolve the situation.
Health officials are warning anyone who has eaten a Quarter Pounder and has symptoms of E. coli contact a doctor immediately. The actual number of people affected may be higher than reported, as many infections may have gone undiagnosed or reported.
Unfortunately, this event is not isolated but brings to mind other cases of food diseases linked to the chain, including the 1982 E. coli epidemic and the 2018 cyclospora outbreakshowing how we must never lower the threshold of attention regarding food safety in fast food restaurants.
