McDonald’s Burger Outbreak: One Death, 10 States Affected

A serious E coli outbreak has been linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers, causing one death and making 49 people sick across 10 states. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is quickly investigating which ingredient is causing the illness. Most people who got sick reported eating these burgers. McDonald’s has stopped selling some ingredients in certain states while they figure out the cause. Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, usually appearing three to four days after eating contaminated food. While most people recover within a week, some need hospital care due to kidney problems. The CDC mentioned that McDonald’s has pulled the ingredients for these burgers from some states. The company is working with investigators to find out what’s making people sick. McDonald’s has temporarily stopped using fresh slivered onions and 1/4 lb beef patties in some areas. This outbreak is not the only recent food safety issue. Earlier this month, 12 million pounds of meat were recalled due to possible listeria contamination.