McDonald’s shares fall as Centers for Disease Control says E. coli outbreak linked to Quarter Pounds | Wilnesh News

McDonald’s Shares fell in extended trading Tuesday after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said E. coli outbreak A virus linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers has resulted in 10 hospitalizations and one death.

The agency said 49 cases were reported in 10 states between September 27 and October 11, with the majority of the cases occurring in Colorado and Nebraska. The CDC added that “most” patients reported eating a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger.

One of the patients had hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure. A senior citizen has died in Colorado.

McDonald’s shares fell about 7% in after-hours trading on Tuesday.

in a Tuesday statementMcDonald’s said it is taking “quick and decisive action” following outbreaks of E. coli outbreaks in some states.

The company said preliminary results from an ongoing investigation suggest some of the illnesses may be linked to onion sticks, or thinly sliced ​​fresh onions, sold in quarter-pound packages from a single facility serving three distribution centers. Supplier Procurement. McDonald’s has directed all local restaurants to stop serving onion sticks and has suspended distribution of the ingredient in affected areas.

McDonald’s said the Quarter Pounder will be temporarily out of stock in several Western states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as in parts of other states. The company added that it was working with suppliers to replenish ingredients.

McDonald’s U.S. President Joe Ehlinger said in the video that most states and menu items have not been affected by the outbreak. He added that the company’s other beef products, including cheeseburgers, burgers, Big Macs, Double Macs and Double Cheeseburgers, are not affected.

“We are working quickly to restore our full menu in these states as quickly as possible,” Ehlinger said. “I hope these initiatives demonstrate McDonald’s commitment to food safety.”

The Quarter Pounder is a core menu item at McDonald’s, earning billions of dollars in revenue annually. In 2018, McDonald’s introduced fresh beef Quarter Pounders in most of its U.S. stores.

The CDC said the number of people affected by the outbreak “is likely to be much higher” than reported so far. The agency said that’s because many people recover without being tested for E. coli infections or receiving medical care. The CDC added that it typically takes another three to four weeks to determine whether a patient is part of an outbreak.

E. coli refers to a group of bacteria found in the intestines of nearly all humans and animals. But certain strains of bacteria can cause mild to severe illness if a person eats contaminated food or drinks contaminated water.

Symptoms including stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting usually appear three to four days after swallowing the bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people recover without treatment after five to seven days.

Several cases of E. coli have been reported at McDonald’s restaurants in the past.

In 2022, at least six children in Ashland, Alabama, developed symptoms consistent with E. coli poisoning after eating McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets Happy Meals. Four of the six children were taken to hospital after experiencing serious adverse reactions.