By james art
JONEL ALECCIA AP Health Writer
E. coli food poisoning linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states, including one death and 10 hospitalizations, federal health officials said Tuesday.
An elderly person has died in Colorado and a child was hospitalized with severe kidney complications, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Infections were reported between September 27 and October 11 in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Colorado has the most cases, 27, followed by Nebraska with nine.
Everyone interviewed in connection with the outbreak reported eating at McDonald’s before getting sick, and most mentioned eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers, the CDC said. The USDA, the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials are also investigating.
A specific ingredient has not been identified as the cause, but researchers are focusing on onions and beef. A preliminary FDA investigation suggests that chopped onions served on the burgers are a likely source of contamination. USDA investigates hamburger patties.
In a statement, McDonald’s officials said initial findings suggest some illnesses are linked to onions produced by a single supplier. The company halted distribution of the sliced onion and temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder from menus in the affected states, as well as parts of Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
“We take food safety extremely seriously and this is the right thing to do,” the statement said.
E. coli bacteria are found in the intestines of animals and are 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 medical attention immediately and tell the provider what they ate.
The news comes in an already difficult year for the Chicago-based McDonald’s chain. Its global same-store sales fell for the first time in nearly four years in the second quarter as inflation-weary customers skipped eating out or opted for cheaper options. The company responded with a $5 meal deal that rolled out to U.S. restaurants in late June and was recently extended through December. Deal does not include Quarter Pounder.
Shares of McDonald’s fell 9% in after-hours trading Tuesday after the CDC announcement.
The type of bacteria implicated in this outbreak, E. coli O157:H7, causes about 74,000 infections in the US each year, resulting in more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths. Infections are especially dangerous for children under 5 and can cause acute kidney failure.
Associated Press writer Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit contributed to this story.
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