There have been outbreaks of coliform bacteria at several McDonald’s stores in the United States. According to the CDC, restaurants in ten states have been affected; one person has died and ten others have been hospitalized.
A total of 49 cases have been reported, most of them in Colorado and Nebraska. The share price of the world’s largest fast food chain temporarily fell by more than six percent on Tuesday during American after-hours trading.
Hamburger Royal partially removed from the offer
According to McDonald’s, the trigger is suspected to be sliced onions, which are only used in the Quarter Pounder, the American equivalent of the Hamburger Royal. They came from a supplier that supplies three distribution centers. The Quarter Pounder will now be temporarily withdrawn from the market in five US states and parts of seven others.
Infections caused by minced meat or onions
All those affected said they had eaten at McDonald’s before the illness started, specifically mentioning the ‘Quarter Pounder’ burger. The CDC says it is currently investigating whether fresh onions or ground beef could be the cause of the infections.
Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting
Symptoms of an E.coli infection include severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. The incident is reminiscent of the coliform outbreak at the Chipotle chain in 2015, which led to lost sales and damaged the company’s image.
Trump show at McDonald’s branch
The incident also overshadowed the recent PR performance of former US President Donald Trump, who was campaigning for the election. Last weekend, the Republican presidential candidate prepared hamburgers and served customers at a McDonald’s branch, drawing media attention.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
