The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday that the E. coli epidemic associated with slivered onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers had been contained.
Since the inquiry started on October 22, 14 states have reported 104 E. coli infections. One person, an elderly resident of Mesa County, Colorado, passed away, while thirty-four others were admitted to hospitals.
The Food and Drug Administration claims that the onions connected to the epidemic were supplied by California-based Taylor Farms and served to McDonald’s restaurants across many states. When the epidemic was revealed in October, all Quarter Pounders were removed from the restaurants in the 14 states, according to a McDonald’s representative.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome, a dangerous condition that can cause kidney failure, struck at least four persons. A 15-year-old girl from Grand Junction, Colorado, was one of those patients, her relatives informed NBC News.
Days after she repeatedly went to McDonald’s for her favorite meal—a Quarter Pounder with cheese and extra pickles—the high school student started to experience fever and stomach problems. Bloody diarrhea and vomiting made her condition worse.
Even though the majority of E. Coli bacteria strains are safe, consuming food or water tainted with certain strains can cause serious digestive issues.
The majority of those who became ill and connected their ailments to Quarter Pounders were interviewed by investigators.
Of the 81 individuals interviewed, almost all reported having eaten at McDonald’s. Sixty-three percent of those surveyed claimed that their dinner included fresh, sliced onions. The only item on the menu that has those particular onions is the Quarter Pounder.
The epidemic seems to have been contained by a prompt recall of the onions.
The FDA stated in a news release on Tuesday that there does not seem to be a persistent food safety issue associated with this incidence. “The FDA’s investigation is closed, and the CDC believes this outbreak is over.”
