The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided an update on the E. coli outbreak after the CDC stated that the outbreak, “linked to slivered onions served on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers” (NY Post) had ended.
The onions were distributed by California-based Taylor Farms and according to the Food and Drug Administration, multiple McDonald’s restaurants in multiple states served these onions. The outbreak began back in October with, “104 cases of E. coli in 14 states were identified. Thirty-four people were hospitalized, and one person, an older adult in Mesa County, Colorado, died” (NBC). It was said that up to four people one of which was a 15-year-old girl, had developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which could lead to serious kidney failure.
In the update by the CDC on the investigation it was stated:
Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).
WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples were closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.
WGS analysis of bacteria from 94 people’s samples predicted resistance to chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfisoxazole, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site. These findings do not affect treatment guidance since antibiotics are not recommended for patients with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections.
FDA tested recalled onions and one environmental sample from a grower. Both of these samples tested positive for non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli. The E. coli found was not the outbreak strain and no human illnesses were found related to the strain. Additional samples from this investigation were negative for E. coli. (CDC)
Mcdonald’s North American Chief impact officer and supply chain officer, Michael Gonda & Cesar Pina, stated in an internal memo, “Looking ahead, we must remain laser focused on regaining our customers’ hard-earned trust and reigniting their brand affinity” (CNBC).
McDonald’s shares have since gone down 7% since the initial outbreak, but are said to get back into their customer’s good graces, with the release of their popular McRib & McValue menu, as the company looks to also “invest more than $100 million in marketing and targeted financial assistance for affected franchisees” (CNBC).
