McDonald’s Sued Over E. Coli Outbreak

McDonald's Sued Over E. Coli Outbreak

McDonald’s faces its first and second lawsuits over an E. coli outbreak linked to Quarter Pounders, as a Colorado man sues the fast-food giant for damages.

At a Glance

  • McDonald’s has been sued over an E. coli outbreak linked to Quarter Pounders.
  • The outbreak has caused one death and nearly 50 illnesses across 10 states.
  • Slivered onions are suspected as the source of contamination.
  • McDonald’s has removed Quarter Pounders from menus in several states.
  • The first lawsuit seeks over $50,000 in damages and a jury trial.

Lawsuits Filed Against McDonald’s

McDonald’s is facing legal action as the first and second lawsuits related to an E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounders have been filed. Eric Stelly, a resident of Colorado, initiated a lawsuit in Cook County, Illinois, after experiencing severe E. coli symptoms following consumption of a Quarter Pounder at a McDonald’s location in Greeley, Colorado. The lawsuit claims that McDonald’s is responsible for distributing dangerous products and seeks $50,000 in damages.

Attorney Ron Simon, representing Stelly and at least 10 other individuals affected by the outbreak, stated, “The McDonald’s E. coli Outbreak will be one of the most significant food poisoning outbreaks this year.” Simon added, “Through this lawsuit and others, we will make sure that all of the victims are fully compensated for their losses, that their voices are heard, and that McDonald’s and its suppliers permanently fix the health violations that caused the food to become contaminated with E. coli.”

Also represented by Simon is Clarissa DeBock, who just filed the second lawsuit. She first fell ill back in September after eating a Quarter Pounder and ended up in the emergency room with gastrointestinal symptoms. “I could just tell that something was off by the cramps, just because they were so bad,” DeBock recalled. “You get cramps with the flu and stuff, but it was different.”

Outbreak Details and Response

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the outbreak has resulted in one death and nearly 50 illnesses across 10 states. The source of contamination is suspected to be slivered onions used in the Quarter Pounder. In response, McDonald’s has removed the Quarter Pounder from menus in several states as a precautionary measure.

Joe Erlinger, a McDonald’s representative, stated, “It is important to note that the majority of menu items are not affected. Other beef products at McDonald’s including the cheeseburger, hamburger, Big Mac, McDouble, and the Double Cheeseburger are not impacted.”

Supplier Recall and Health Warnings

Taylor Farms, a McDonald’s supplier, has recalled several onion products used in Quarter Pounders due to the E. coli outbreak. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified yellow onions as the likely source of contamination. The recall is precautionary, as none of the onion products have tested positive for E. coli.

The FDA has advised restaurants to destroy any affected onions in their inventory immediately. Four specific onion products were recalled: peeled jumbo yellow onions, two types of diced fresh yellow onions, and whole, peeled yellow onions.

Health experts warn that the number of cases may rise due to the incubation period of E. coli. The strain involved is O157:H7, similar to a past outbreak at Jack in the Box. Symptoms include severe diarrhea and vomiting.

Impact on McDonald’s and Consumer Behavior

The E. coli outbreak has had a significant impact on McDonald’s. The company’s shares dropped by over 5% following the outbreak news, marking the largest drop since March 2020, although they slightly recovered the next day. The outbreak also appears to have affected customer behavior in some cases, with some avoiding McDonald’s due to concerns.

One customer, Adriean Madden, expressed her concerns: “This affects my decision with coming to McDonald’s in the future. I feel like the information isn’t as widely spread. I didn’t see any notices on the door, and then I saw vehicles going through the drive-through just as if nothing was going on.”

As investigations continue and more lawsuits are expected, McDonald’s faces the challenge of addressing food safety concerns and rebuilding consumer trust. The outcome of this lawsuit and potential others may have far-reaching implications for the fast-food industry’s approach to food safety and supplier management.

Sources

  1. McDonald’s hit with lawsuit after deadly E. coli outbreak
  2. McDonald’s stock sinks after CDC reports E. coli outbreak linked to Quarter Pounder
  3. First Lawsuit Filed Against McDonald’s Over E. Coli Outbreak
  4. Nebraska woman suing McDonald’s says E. coli infection landed her in the ER