Gastronomy Food poisoning linked to McDonald's hamburgers

One person has died in the US following an outbreak of E. coli bacteria linked to McDonald's hamburgers, according to authorities. Dozens of other people fell ill. According to the report, most of the 49 people infected were in Colorado and Nebraska.

The E. coli outbreak began at the end of September and spread to ten US states, the US health authority CDC said on Tuesday.

One elderly person died in Colorado, the CDC added. Ten of those affected had been treated in hospitals. Among them was a child who had been admitted with hemolytic uremic syndrome - a serious disease that damages the blood vessels in the kidneys.

According to the CDC, all those affected carried the same strain of E. coli and said they had eaten a particular burger at McDonald's, the Quarter Pounder, the American equivalent of the Hamburger Royal, before their symptoms appeared. CDC advised people who ate a Quarter Pounder and developed symptoms of E. coli poisoning such as diarrhea, fever and vomiting to see a doctor.

Burger removed from the range

The agency's investigators have not yet been able to determine exactly which ingredient caused the E. coli outbreak. Investigations are currently focusing on chopped onions and the beef hamburger patty.

"Food safety is so important to me and everyone at McDonald's," said Joe Erlinger, President of McDonald's USA, in a video message. In certain states, the chopped onions used for the Quarter Pounder would be removed. "We have also made the decision to temporarily remove the Quarter Pounder from restaurants in select states," Erlinger continued. Most states are not affected by the outbreak, Erlinger continued. Other products are still available in the affected states, including those with beef.

Share price falls

Most people recover from an infection with E. coli bacteria within five to seven days, even without treatment. In some cases, however, people can become seriously ill and need to be hospitalized.

Following the CDC's announcement, the fast food chain's shares fell by more than eight percent in after-hours trading.

SDA