🚨 Hold on to your burgers, folks! McDonald's is at the center of an E. coli outbreak that has affected 90 people across 13 U.S. states. The culprit? Fresh, slivered onions served on their famous Quarter Pounders and other menu items. 😱
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Wednesday that 15 new cases have been reported, bringing the total to 90. Out of these, 27 people have been hospitalized, and sadly, one person has died.
The source of the tainted onions has been traced back to Taylor Farms, a supplier for McDonald's. They've since recalled several batches of yellow onions produced in their Colorado facility. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is on the case, initiating inspections at the processing center and investigating an onion grower in Washington state.
But don't freak out just yet! 😅 The CDC believes the risk to the public is very low since McDonald's and Taylor Farms have already taken action to remove the onions from their food service locations. The outbreak seems to have originated before these steps were taken.
McDonald's is bouncing back, announcing that they'll resume selling their beloved Quarter Pounders this week. The CEO, Chris Kempczinski, apologized to customers and confidently stated, \"We're confident in the safety of eating at McDonald's.\"
E. coli might sound scary, but remember, not all strains are harmful. They're bacteria found everywhere—from the environment to our own intestines. However, some strains can cause illnesses like diarrhea, urinary tract infections, and more. Symptoms can show up anywhere from a few days to nine days after eating contaminated food.
The affected states include Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, and Michigan. 🌍
Stay safe out there, and maybe hold the onions on your next burger! 😉🍔
Source: CDC, FDA, McDonald's statements.
Reference(s):
CDC: Onions served at McDonald's likely source of E. coli outbreak
cgtn.com
