McDonald’s announced on Sunday that it will reinstate the Quarter Pounder on the menu at hundreds of its restaurants following an investigation that cleared beef patties as the source of an E. coli outbreak. The popular burger had been temporarily…
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McDonald’s announced on Sunday that it will reinstate the Quarter Pounder on the menu at hundreds of its restaurants following an investigation that cleared beef patties as the source of an E. coli outbreak. The popular burger had been temporarily removed from the menu in several states after the outbreak, which tragically claimed one life and sickened at least 75 individuals across 13 states.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to point the finger at slivered onions from a specific supplier as the likely culprit, McDonald’s has decided to bring back the Quarter Pounder with a slight modification. To ensure customer safety, the fast-food giant will temporarily omit slivered onions from the burger at the affected restaurants.
The company plans to resume Quarter Pounder sales at these locations within the coming week. McDonald’s remains committed to prioritizing food safety and will continue to cooperate with health authorities to investigate the source of the outbreak.
The affected slivered onions were distributed to 900 of its restaurants from the supplier, Taylor Farms facility located in Colorado Springs.
As of Friday, Colorado had the highest number of reported illnesses with 26 cases. Montana followed with 13, Nebraska with 11, and New Mexico and Utah with 5 each. Missouri and Wyoming each had 4 cases, Michigan had 2, and Iowa, Kansas, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Washington each reported 1 case, according to the CDC.
A statement released by the CDC discussed tracking down the source of the outbreak: “Of 42 people interviewed, all 42 reported eating at McDonald’s before their illness started, and most specifically mentioned eating a Quarter Pounder hamburger. No other retail chains or retailers have been identified as a source of illness.”
McDonald’s is now focusing on bringing customers back after the outbreak midst fears of more infections. CEO Chris Kempczinski told investors this Tuesday that outbreak appears to be contained: “We stand ready to do more if we need to to make sure that we are bringing the full resources of McDonald’s to bear to re-engage. How we’ve handled the issue, now that we’re moving … we view it as being behind us.”
CFO Ian Borden said during the same call: “What I would say is we certainly believe the most significant events are behind us, and the work to do right now is focused on restoring consumer confidence, getting our U.S. business back to that strong momentum that I just talked about.”
And in another statement released Oct. 27th, McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger issued a video, saying:
“I also want to address customers who ate at McDonald’s and are feeling any number of things: ill, scared, or uncertain. I know that our relationship is built on trust. You trust us to serve you safe food every time,” he said. “On behalf of the McDonald’s system, I want you to hear from me: we are sorry. For those customers affected, you have my commitment that, led by our values: we will make this right.”
As the investigation unfolds, consumers are advised to stay informed and follow any guidelines or recommendations issued by health officials.