McDonald’s President Attempts to Quell Fears Amid Deadly Outbreak: ‘We’ve Taken the Action to Protect the American Public’
In a recent statement, McDonald’s addressed concerns surrounding a deadly E. coli outbreak associated with its Quarter Pounders. U.S. President Joe Erlinger reassured customers that the company had removed the Quarter Pounder from the menu in the ten affected states and others as a precaution. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has indicated that raw onions served with the Quarter Pounders may be the source of contamination, as early findings suggest connections to a specific supplier. The outbreak, reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), resulted in 49 infections across various states, leading to one death and multiple hospitalizations. McDonald’s is cooperating with governmental investigations while emphasizing their commitment to public health. The stock price saw a decline of 4.5% following the outbreak news. Experts urge anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical help and report their recent meals.
McDonald’s said Wednesday that customers should feel confident ordering from its restaurants despite a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounders.
McDonald’s U.S. President Joe Erlinger said in an interview on the “Today” show that the company has removed the Quarter Pounder from its menu in the 10 states where dozens of people were sickened, as well as in several other states.
A preliminary investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggested raw onions served on Quarter Pounders are a likely source of contamination, and McDonald’s said its initial findings suggest that some of the reported illnesses are linked to onions from a single supplier. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investigating the hamburger meat.
“What’s important today is that we’ve taken the action to protect the American public and promote public health,” Erlinger said. “We’re confident that we’ll see our way through this and will restore confidence for the American consumer to come to McDonald’s.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the outbreak late Tuesday. It said 49 infections were reported between Sept. 27 and Oct. 11 in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. One person in Colorado died and 10 people were hospitalized. All of them mentioned eating Quarter Pounders, which contain a beef burger topped with pickles, slivered onions and a sesame seed bun.
The incubation period for E. coli is only a couple of days, so illness would be quickly apparent to anyone affected, said Donald Schaffner, a food safety expert at Rutgers University. “If you ate these burgers in September and now it’s the middle of October and you didn’t get sick, you’re probably OK,” he said.
E. coli bacteria are harbored in the guts of animals and found in the environment. Infections can cause severe illness, including fever, stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea. People who develop symptoms of E. coli poisoning should seek health care immediately and tell the provider what they ate.
Erlinger said it’s possible the contaminated product has already worked its way through McDonald’s supply chain. But the company will work closely with the government and cooperate with the investigation, he said. Erlinger declined to name the supplier or say if it supplies other restaurant chains or grocery stores.
McDonald’s s fell 4.5 percent in early trading Wednesday.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
