McDonald's has announced it will reintroduce Quarter Pounders across numerous outlets after investigations cleared beef patties from being the cause of an E. coli outbreak. This incident, linked to the fast-food chain's burgers, resulted in one fatality and at least 75 people falling ill across 13 states, according to reports by The Associated Press. McDonald's statement highlighted that uncooked slivered onions from a single provider are believed to be the contamination source, as per findings from the US Food and Drug Administration. Consequently, the burger giant will begin selling Quarter Pounders again in the implicated restaurants but will omit slivered onions from these servings starting next week.
As recent as last Friday, health officials reported that 22 individuals were hospitalized due to the outbreak, with two suffering severe kidney complications. The deceased was a resident of Colorado. Investigations have pinpointed Taylor Farms, a produce company based in California with a facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the onion supplier for McDonald’s during this period. Following this revelation, McDonald’s ceased using slivered onions from this location in its supply chain this past Tuesday and has decided to indefinitely halt sourcing onions from Taylor Farms' Colorado Springs operation.
Initially, when news of the E. coli outbreak surfaced last Tuesday, McDonald’s swiftly removed Quarter Pounder burgers from its menu in several states predominantly within the Midwest and Mountain regions. Further disclosures revealed that around 900 McDonald's locations had received slivered onions from the implicated Colorado Springs facility; some of these establishments are situated within major transport hubs like airports.
Colorado reported the highest number of E. coli cases with 26 individuals affected by Friday. Other states saw varying numbers: Montana with 13 cases; Nebraska with 11; New Mexico and Utah each reporting five; Missouri and Wyoming each had four; two were reported in Michigan; and one case each in Iowa, Kansas, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Washington. Despite these figures spreading outside initially identified areas, no additional restaurants were stripped off their Quarter Pounder offerings since some illnesses could be attributed to interstate travel.
This decision by McDonald's marks a significant step towards regaining customer trust while ensuring food safety standards are upheld strictly following this unfortunate contamination incident.
As recent as last Friday, health officials reported that 22 individuals were hospitalized due to the outbreak, with two suffering severe kidney complications. The deceased was a resident of Colorado. Investigations have pinpointed Taylor Farms, a produce company based in California with a facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the onion supplier for McDonald’s during this period. Following this revelation, McDonald’s ceased using slivered onions from this location in its supply chain this past Tuesday and has decided to indefinitely halt sourcing onions from Taylor Farms' Colorado Springs operation.
Initially, when news of the E. coli outbreak surfaced last Tuesday, McDonald’s swiftly removed Quarter Pounder burgers from its menu in several states predominantly within the Midwest and Mountain regions. Further disclosures revealed that around 900 McDonald's locations had received slivered onions from the implicated Colorado Springs facility; some of these establishments are situated within major transport hubs like airports.
Colorado reported the highest number of E. coli cases with 26 individuals affected by Friday. Other states saw varying numbers: Montana with 13 cases; Nebraska with 11; New Mexico and Utah each reporting five; Missouri and Wyoming each had four; two were reported in Michigan; and one case each in Iowa, Kansas, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Washington. Despite these figures spreading outside initially identified areas, no additional restaurants were stripped off their Quarter Pounder offerings since some illnesses could be attributed to interstate travel.
This decision by McDonald's marks a significant step towards regaining customer trust while ensuring food safety standards are upheld strictly following this unfortunate contamination incident.
