Officials issue urgent warning after E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s products leaves one dead and 49 ill

Officials have issued a crucial warning after an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s products left one person dead and 49 ill, including 10 who have had to be hospitalised.

While most strains of E. coli – or Escherichia coli – are relatively harmless, some can cause serious illness, with the World Health Organization (WHO) saying the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), also known as Escherichia coli 0157, causes ‘severe foodborne illness’.

A current outbreak has forced McDonald’s stores in the US to remove quarter pounders and slivered onions from the menu amid fears that the ingredients may be linked.

So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 49 cases of illnesses across several states, 10 of which have resulted in people being hospitalised.

One person has also tragically died.

Some strains of E. coli can cause serious illness (STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images)

In response to the news, the CDC has shared a list of symptoms associated with the Shiga toxin-producing E.coli, with most people experiencing ‘severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting’.

“Symptoms usually start 3 to 4 days after swallowing the bacteria,” it said

“Most people recover without treatment after 5 to 7 days.

“Some people may develop serious kidney problems (hemolytic uremic syndrome, also called HUS) and would need to be hospitalized.”

The CDC urges people to call their healthcare provider if they experience:

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F, including: diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving; bloody diarrhea
• So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as: not peeing much; dry mouth and throat; feeling dizzy when standing up

In a statement earlier this week, Cesar Piña, McDonald’s North America Chief Supply Chain Officer said that serving customers ‘safely’ was the company’s ‘top priority’.

“It is why we are taking swift and decisive action following an E. Coli outbreak in certain states,” he explained.

McDonald's has been forced to remove quarter pounders and slivered onions from menus in a number of restaurants (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

“The initial findings from the investigation indicate that a subset of illnesses may be linked to slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder and sourced by a single supplier that serves three distribution centers.

“As a result, and in line with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been instructed to remove this product from their supply and we have paused the distribution of all slivered onions in the impacted area.”

Piña added: “Out of an abundance of caution, we are also temporarily removing the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in the impacted area, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

“We take food safety extremely seriously and it’s the right thing to do. Impacted restaurants are receiving a stock recovery notice today and should reach out to their field supply chain manager or distribution center with any questions.

“We are working in close partnership with our suppliers to replenish supply for the Quarter Pounder in the coming weeks (timing will vary by local market). In the meantime, all other menu items, including other beef products (including the Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble and the Double Cheeseburger) are unaffected and available. We will continue to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are committed to providing timely updates as we restore our full menu.”