McDonald’s favourite linked sickness outbreak – here’s how to spot the signs
Date: 2024-10-24
McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers have been linked to an E. coli outbreak that has killed one and infected nearly 50 others in the US.
There have been 49 cases of E. coli possibly from the popular fast food chain’s Quarter Pounders, including 10 hospitalizations, across 10 states.
‘This is a fast-moving outbreak investigation,’ stated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday.
‘Most sick people are reporting eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers from McDonald’s and investigators are working quickly to confirm which food ingredient is contaminated.’
The company has stopped using ingredients for the burgers. Which specific ingredient made people ill has not yet been determined, and the company is cooperating in the investigation launched on Tuesday to figure that out.
‘McDonald’s stopped using fresh slivered onions and quarter pound beef patties in several states while the investigation is ongoing to identify the ingredient causing illness,’ stated the CDC.
In the meantime, McDonald’s in stop states will temporarily stop selling Quarter Pounders.
Most people have been sickened in Colorado and Nebraska.
No recall has been issued.
The CDC recommends people contact their healthcare providers if they ate a Quarter Pounder and experience severe E. coli symptoms including diarrhea for more than three days without improvement, bloody diarrhea and a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
Other severe symptoms include vomiting liquids, dehydration including dry throat and mouth, and dizziness while standing.
E. coli symptoms usually start three to four days after consuming the bacteria. Most people recover after five to seven days without receiving treatment. However, some people can develop serious kidney issues and require hospitalization.
Katie Martinelli, a food hygiene expert at training company High Speed Training, said: ‘E. coli – full name Escherichia coli – is a type of bacteria that’s usually found in the intestines of humans and animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless to people but others can cause serious gastrointestinal illness – or food poisoning.
‘E. coli can be contagious and spread from person-to-person or from animal-to-person. Most foodborne E.coli is caused by one particular strain that is likely to develop on food products in the temperature danger zone, between 8 °C and 60 °C.’
What Can Cause an E. coli Infection?
E. coli originates in the intestines of humans and animals – most commonly cattle – and causes food poisoning when a person consumes food or drink contaminated with the bacteria.
E. coli infections are often caused by:
- Eating contaminated food – in particular, unwashed raw vegetables, salad and fruit, or undercooked meat.
- Drinking contaminated water – if the water supply has been inadequately treated, then E. coli bacteria may remain. This includes water for drinking or water used for cooking.
- Touching infected animals – cattle are particularly susceptible to E. coli bacteria and people can catch E. coli by touching them or coming into contact with their faeces.
- Touching infected people – E. coli can be spread by coming into contact with people who already have E. coli food poisoning.
- Contaminated surfaces – improper handwashing, especially after using the toilet and after handling muddy vegetables, can easily cause cross-contamination.
- Undercooked meat – specifically undercooked beef products, such as burgers.
How to Prevent an E. coli Infection
Following good hygiene and safety practices such as the ones below will help you to prevent E. coli exposure:
How to Prevent an E. coli Infection
Following good hygiene and safety practices such as the ones below will help you to prevent E. coli exposure:
How to Prevent an E. coli Infection
Following good hygiene and safety practices such as the ones below will help you to prevent E. coli exposure:
- Wash your hands properlyÂ
- Wash vegetables, salad and fruit thoroughlyÂ
- Keep raw meat separate from cooked food
- Cook food thoroughly
- Store food correctlyÂ
- Avoid unpasteurised or untreated liquids
- Keep your kitchen cleanÂ
- Pay attention to use-by datesÂ
- Defrost foods safelyÂ
- Never prepare or handle food if you’re ill
The McDonald’s E. coli outbreak comes just weeks after nearly 10million pounds of meat in frozen dinners and pre-packaged salads were recalled by the US Department of Agriculture for possible listeria contamination. The affected products were sold by distributors like Trader Joe’s, Amazon Fresh, Kroger and Jenny Craig.
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