McDonald’s removes Quarter Pounder from menus in several states due to E. coli OUTBREAK

11/01/2024 / By Ava Grace

Fast food giant McDonald’s has removed its Quarter Pounder from menus in several states over an outbreak of Escherichia coli infections linked to the burger.

McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger made the announcement in an Oct. 22 video message. He remarked that the move followed initial investigations suggesting that slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder may be to blame. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the burger has been linked to 49 E. coli infections, 10 hospitalizations and one fatality across several states.

Erlinger continued that the Golden Arches has taken steps to remove slivered onions used in Quarter Pounders from select states. He clarified, however, that other beef products offered by McDonald’s are not affected.

“The decision to do this is not one we take lightly, and it was made in close consultation with the CDC,” the McDonald’s executive said. “This is a temporary change as the investigation continues and we are working quickly to return our full menu in these states as soon as possible.”

McDonald’s North America Chief Supply Chain Officer Cesar Pina confirmed the temporary removal of Quarter Pounders from menus in restaurants in the impacted area – including Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming. Parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma also saw the burger pulled from menus there.

“The initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers,” Pina said in a statement.

“As a result, and in line with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply and we have paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area. We take food safety extremely seriously and it’s the right thing to do.”

CDC: McDonald’s collaborating with authorities to address outbreak

According to the Epoch Times, symptoms of E. coli infections typically include severe stomach cramps, often bloody diarrhea and vomiting, usually beginning three to four days after exposure. Most people recover within a week, but severe cases can result in hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that causes kidney failure. The CDC is advising individuals who consumed a Quarter Pounder and are experiencing symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.

“This is a fast-moving outbreak investigation,” the public health agency said in a statement. It added that McDonald’s is collaborating with authorities and acting “proactively” to address the outbreak by halting deliveries of slivered onions and quarter-pound beef patties in several states. (Related: CDC punishes food chain for hosting Trump event, claims McDonald’s burgers caused deadly E. coli outbreak.)

The CDC, Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s Food Safety Inspection Service are working alongside state health departments to identify the precise source of contamination. In an update on its website, the CDC said the supplier of slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounders has also stepped up.

“Taylor Farms, the supplier of slivered onions to the affected McDonald’s locations, has initiated a voluntary recall and has asked customers to stop using some onions while this investigation is ongoing. Food service customers were contacted directly and told to remove onions.”

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Watch this video about the toxic ingredients in McDonald’s fast food menu items.

This video is from the BombMomOf6 channel on Brighteon.com.