At least 75 people have reported getting sick after eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounders contaminated with a deadly E. coli strain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The cases have been reported in 13 states, with 22 people hospitalized and one reported death. The outbreak is expected to result in more reported illnesses as investigators continue to link cases to the contaminated food. Most of those affected reported eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger before falling ill, with some experiencing severe kidney conditions.
Health officials have identified slivered onions as the likely source of contamination, leading to a recall by supplier Taylor Farms. Other restaurant chains in Colorado have also removed onions from their menu out of caution. McDonald’s has pulled the affected products from its restaurants, reducing the risk to the public.
Two lawsuits have been filed against McDonald’s by individuals who claim they became ill after eating at the fast-food chain. A total of 15 people are represented by a food safety law firm in connection to the outbreak.
The CDC advises that E. coli symptoms typically include vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, and can appear a few days after consuming contaminated food. McDonald’s is cooperating with investigators, and Taylor Farms maintains that its products currently on the market are safe to consume. The source of the outbreak is still under investigation.
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