McDonald’s has stopped buying onions indefinitely. (Photo: Reuters)
The US Food and Drug Authority (FDA) has said that the number of people infected with E. coli disease linked to McDonald’s quarter-pounder hamburgers has increased from 49 to 75.
According to Reuters, the health watchdog has said that 22 people are being treated in hospital. Two of these people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which causes poor health and can lead to kidney failure.
One person has died due to E. coli zero-one-57h-seven. It is said to cause a serious illness. Especially for the elderly, children and those with weakened immune systems.
On Wednesday, the world’s largest burger chain said it had stopped serving quarter burger pounds at about 20 percent of its restaurants.
McDonald’s Quarter Pounder Burger is served with chopped onions. Preliminary investigations indicate that the onion used in the quarter pound is likely the source of the illness and was supplied by a P supplier.
McDonald’s said on Friday that Taylor Farms from Colorado sent onions to about 900 restaurants in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming and other states.
The company has stopped the purchase of onions from this farm indefinitely.
The US Department of Agriculture said that E. coli bacteria may have been present in the onions in this case, while samples of the beef used in the burgers are also being tested.
As of October 24, the disease has infected several people in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington and Michigan. 26 cases were reported in Colorado.
Other major US fast food chains, such as Taco Bell owner Yum and Restaurant Brands unit Burger King, have removed fresh onions from their menu items. These restaurants were also getting onions from Taylor Farms.
