McDonald’s has announced the return of its Quarter Pounder burgers to all US locations after confirming that its beef patties were not the source of a recent E. coli outbreak. This outbreak resulted in at least one death and numerous illnesses across the country.
The fast-food chain reported that tests conducted by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) on its beef patties returned negative for E. coli. The CDA has indicated that no further testing will take place.
Last week, McDonald’s temporarily halted Quarter Pounder sales in about 20% of its US restaurants due to the outbreak.
Cesar Piña, McDonald’s Chief Supply Chain Officer for North America, stated, “The issue appears to be contained to a particular ingredient and geography. We are confident that any contaminated product related to this outbreak has been removed from our supply chain.”
In its investigation, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified slivered onions used in Quarter Pounders as a potential cause of the outbreak. In response, McDonald’s has ceased its partnership with the onion supplier and removed the product from its supply chain.
The 900 restaurants that previously received slivered onions from Taylor Farms in Colorado Springs will now sell Quarter Pounders without the onions.
Several individuals affected by the outbreak have filed lawsuits against McDonald’s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised anyone who consumed a Quarter Pounder and is experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, or vomiting to consult a doctor.
Symptoms can appear up to four days after consuming contaminated food. While most people recover within five to seven days, some cases may require hospitalization.
Since the CDC announced the outbreak last week, McDonald’s shares have dropped more than 7.5%. In July, the company reported an unexpected decline in global sales, marking its first quarterly sales drop in over three years. Fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King are increasingly focusing on offering attractive value meals, as lower-income customers are impacted by rising prices.
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