United States: The number of E. coli cases tied to slivered onions served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders has increased to 104, with 34 hospitalizations, four severe cases of kidney damage, and one reported fatality, according to U.S. health officials.
States Hit Hardest
Fourteen states have been affected by the outbreak, with Colorado reporting the highest number of cases (30), followed by Montana (19), and Nebraska (13), as confirmed by the FDA.
Source Identified
Both McDonald’s and the FDA have pinpointed slivered onions supplied by California-based Taylor Farms as the cause of the outbreak. On October 22, the company initiated a recall of the affected yellow onions. While no sustained food safety risks are expected at McDonald’s locations, investigations are ongoing, as reported by HealthDay.
McDonald’s Resumes Selling Quarter Pounders with New Supplier
McDonald’s has returned Quarter Pounders with slivered onions to impacted restaurants after identifying a new supplier. The company reassured customers of its commitment to food safety and has resumed serving the product at 900 locations.
Symptoms and Health Risks
Many E.coli infections are mild, and will recover by themselves, but some complications may includes severe abdominal pain, diarrhea that contains blood, vomiting, high blood pressure and kidney ailment. In the worst times, it leads to hemolytic uremic syndrome as a consequence of kidney failure, as reported by HealthDay.
