Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business.
Safety Measures Tightened as McDonald's Clears Beef Source in E. coli Scare
McDonald's Brings Back Quarter Pounder After E. coli Scare and Enhanced Safety Checks
McDonald’s has resumed Quarter Pounder sales in its U.S. restaurants after confirming that its beef patties were not the source of a recent E. coli outbreak, which had led to one fatality and numerous illnesses. Following extensive testing by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), McDonald's reported that all samples of its beef tested negative for E. coli bacteria. The fast-food chain paused sales of the burger at about 20% of its U.S. outlets during the investigation, pending results on potential sources of contamination.
“The issue appears isolated to a specific ingredient and region, and we are confident that any affected product has been removed from our supply chain,” stated Cesar Piña, McDonald's North America Chief Supply Chain Officer.
Initially, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had identified the slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder as a potential source of contamination. To safeguard customers, McDonald’s has ended its partnership with Taylor Farms, the supplier of slivered onions in question, and has removed the product from its supply chain. The 900 McDonald's restaurants previously receiving onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility will now serve Quarter Pounders without the slivered onions.
McDonald's is currently facing lawsuits from affected customers. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised individuals who recently consumed a Quarter Pounder and are experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and vomiting to seek medical attention promptly. While many E. coli cases resolve on their own within a week, some individuals may require hospitalization.
Since the CDC's announcement of the outbreak, McDonald's stock has dropped by more than 7.5%. The outbreak comes after McDonald’s reported a decline in global sales earlier this year, its first quarterly drop in over three years, as economic pressures have led many fast-food chains to focus on competitive pricing strategies for value meals to retain budget-conscious consumers.
