Health: E. coli bacteria at McDonalds: Number of sick people increases
Published on October 26, 2024
The number of confirmed cases of coli bacteria in the USA, which according to US authorities can be traced back to the consumption of a certain McDonald's burger, has risen to 75. According to the US health authority CDC, 42 people who were ill stated that they had previously eaten at the fast food chain McDonald's. At least 22 of them had to be treated in hospital. Two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) as a result of the infection, which can lead to acute kidney failure and be fatal, the CDC said.
The US authorities are investigating the outbreak after people in 13 states became ill after being infected with coli bacteria between September 27 and October 10. One of the illnesses was fatal.
According to initial investigation results, the US authority FDA (Food and Drug Administration) attributes the outbreak to chopped onions in the so-called Quarter Pounder Burger, the American equivalent of the Hamburger Royal, from McDonald's. However, the authorities do not rule out that the cause could also be the burger patty itself.
Fast food chains remove fresh onions from the menu
Taylor Foods, a supplier to McDonald's, has removed several onion products from its range. According to the FDA, McDonald's has temporarily removed the Quarter Pounder and sliced onions partially or completely from its range in twelve states. On Friday, the company announced that it would no longer purchase onion products from Taylor Foods in the future.
On Thursday, several fast food chains removed fresh onions from their range in some branches. The Yum! Brands group, which includes KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, as well as Burger King are said to have done this as a precautionary measure, the Washington Post and the US broadcaster NBC both report.
According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, certain strains of coli bacteria can cause serious illnesses such as kidney failure. According to the CDC, the typical symptoms of a serious illness include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:241026-930-271029/1
Source: Die Zeit