On October 22nd local time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an investigation report on its official website stating that 10 states in the United States have experienced severe outbreaks of E. coli. Due to the majority of patients reporting consuming McDonald's quarter pound burgers (4 ounces, three liang), investigators are working to determine whether onion slices or beef patties on the quarter pound burgers are a possible source of contamination. According to reports, 49 people have fallen ill in this E. coli outbreak, and an elderly person living in Colorado has died from the infection.
Source: McDonald's Global Official Website
The CDC stated that the majority of those interviewed mentioned having eaten a four ounce pound burger. It is reported that 10 people have been hospitalized for treatment, including a child with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The CDC warns that as investigations into the source of E. coli continue, the actual number of infected individuals may increase in the coming weeks.
The Daily Economic News reporter learned from the official website of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the FDA, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the US Department of Agriculture, and the CDC are cooperating with various states and localities in the United States to conduct investigations.
Regarding the latest situation of the current infection, the FDA stated in an interview with the Daily Economic News, "We currently have no more information to share. Once we have any news, we will update it on our official website as soon as possible
According to reports, McDonald's stated that it is taking "swift and decisive action" to control the epidemic. During the investigation, the company has removed a quarter pound of hamburgers from restaurants in the affected areas.
Regarding whether the epidemic has affected related products in the Chinese market, McDonald's China told a reporter from the Daily Economic News, "We (China region) do not sell the products mentioned in the news, nor do we use related ingredients. Food safety is our top priority, and we continue to strictly implement food safety and quality management standards. Please feel free to consume
Since the news was released on the 22nd local time, as of the close on October 23rd, McDonald's has experienced a cumulative decline of 5.18% over the past two days.
Main culprit: shredded onions or beef patties?
According to the preliminary analysis by the FDA, the onion shreds supplied by a quarter pound burger may be a source of contamination. The FDA is rapidly confirming whether these onions are the source of this outbreak and determining whether they are being supplied or sold by other companies.
At the same time, the US Food Safety and Inspection Service is tracing hamburger patties supplied by McDonald's in affected states to determine if ground beef is the source of the disease.
FDA website screenshot
Escherichia coli is a bacterium that can be transmitted through contaminated food (usually undercooked meat). But it can also be spread through fruits and vegetables, which may be contaminated by contaminated irrigation water. Cooking usually kills bacteria.
Escherichia coli may appear several days or up to 9 days after consuming contaminated food. Symptoms include severe stomach spasms, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening diseases, such as a type of renal failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or cause hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and neurological problems.
According to reports, one-fifth of McDonald's over 13000 restaurants across the United States have removed this burger. The quarter pound burger has always been one of McDonald's star products, and according to McDonald's estimates, it may take several weeks to restore the supply of this burger.
Regarding whether the domestic market has been affected, McDonald's China told a reporter from the Daily Economic News, "We do not sell the products mentioned in the news, nor do we use related ingredients. Please feel free to consume them
Is the 2015 Qibole food safety incident happening again?
The Daily Economic News reporter learned from McDonald's global website that after the incident, Cesar Pia, McDonald's North American Chief Supply Chain Officer, responded that the preliminary results of the investigation indicate that some diseases may be related to the onion shreds used in the quarter pound burger, which were provided by a single supplier serving three distribution centers. According to our safety regulations, we have instructed all local restaurants to remove the product from their supply and have suspended the distribution of all onion shreds in the affected areas, "Cesar Pia said.
At the same time, all other menu items of McDonald's, including other beef products such as cheeseburgers, Big Macs, double layered McDonald's, and double layered cheeseburgers, are not affected.
McDonald's stated that it is too early to determine the impact of the epidemic on sales, and the company is actively working with the CDC and other government departments to identify the source of the disease.
According to media reports, Taylor Farms was the onion supplier involved in the McDonald's food safety incident. The company stated that no traces of E. coli have been found yet, but has decided to withdraw these products as a precautionary measure.
This McDonald's food safety incident has brought back memories of a similar event in 2015: in 2015, Chipotle Mexican Grill (hereinafter referred to as Chipotle), a Mexican flavor chain restaurant, experienced outbreaks of E. coli and norovirus in its stores in multiple states in the United States, causing more than 50 consumers to be infected.
In the two months following a series of similar incidents, Qibole had to shut down 43 stores, resulting in a significant decline in company sales and fines, as well as damage to its brand reputation.
According to reports, a McDonald's spokesperson stated on Wednesday that this incident is different from the one that occurred in Chipotle, as so far the incident may have only involved one supplier, rather than in store food processing.
Regarding whether McDonald's will compensate the affected consumers and whether the company will receive official fines after the incident, as of press time, McDonald's Global has not responded to the Daily Economic News reporter. However, in the industry's view, the impact of this food safety incident will test McDonald's communication skills and subsequent protective measures for customers and the brand.
