The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially declared the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders over. The outbreak, which affected several states, led to widespread concerns over food safety. As McDonald’s works to rebuild consumer confidence, the company’s president, Joe Erlinger, spoke out about the company’s efforts to ensure safety and trust moving forward.
McDonald’s Apologizes for E. coli Outbreak
In an exclusive interview with Good Morning America on Thursday, Joe Erlinger expressed his regret for the outbreak, which was traced to raw slivered onions used on Quarter Pounders. “We let people down. I want to apologize to all of our customers who were harmed by this incident,” he said.
The outbreak affected nearly 900 McDonald’s restaurants in Colorado and surrounding areas. In response, McDonald’s swiftly removed the contaminated onions from its supply chain. Erlinger confirmed that the company stopped sourcing onions from the supplier responsible and ceased purchasing from the affected farm.
Investigation Concludes, but McDonald’s Vows Continued Efforts
Although the CDC and FDA cleared McDonald’s after their investigation, Erlinger emphasized that the company’s work to ensure food safety is far from over. “Food safety is still our top priority,” he said. “We need to continue rebuilding trust with our consumers. This will be an ongoing process.”
McDonald’s Announces Return of Popular Menu Item
Looking ahead, McDonald’s is also planning to bring back one of its fan-favorite menu items. Erlinger revealed that the popular Snack Wrap will return in 2025, a highly anticipated move as the chain looks to reconnect with its customer base.
In addition, McDonald’s is introducing McValue, a new menu concept focused on affordability. The initiative will offer cost-effective meal options, including the continuation of the $5 meal deal for the first six months of 2025.
As McDonald’s navigates this challenging period, the company remains committed to regaining the trust of its customers and providing them with safe, quality food.
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