USA – The largest fast food chain in the world, McDonald’s has revealed an investment of US$100 million to expedite recovery across the US following the E. coli outbreak associated with silvered onions in its Quarter Pound Burgers.
The company has allocated US$65 million to support these franchise owners, aiming to facilitate a quick recovery. An additional US$35 million will be invested in initiatives designed to boost customer traffic, including targeted marketing efforts.
McDonald’s Chief Financial Officer, Ian Borden, updated investors on the immediate impact the situation has had on daily sales and traffic.
The CFO reported a notable decline which followed an announcement by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linking an E. coli outbreak to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders.
Despite this setback, McDonald’s executives remain confident that the issue will not significantly impact the broader business.
In the week ended November 17, the company completed the nationwide return of the Quarter Pounder with slivered onions to its menus, following a temporary removal of the item from some locations, as noted in a memo to franchisees.
McDonald’s USA issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to transparency and communication in light of the situation.
The statement further noted that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed there were no ongoing food safety concerns related to the outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants.
The FDA clarified that all reported cases occurred before McDonald’s took action on October 22, 2024, to remove slivered onions from certain locations.
The illnesses linked to the Quarter Pounder occurred between September 12 and October 21, affecting at least seven individuals who reported eating McDonald’s meals.
Cases were reported in 14 states, with the highest number in Colorado (30), followed by Montana (19), Nebraska (13), and New Mexico (10). Other affected states included Missouri, Utah, Wyoming, Kansas, Michigan, Iowa, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. Tragically, one person in Colorado died, and four others suffered severe kidney complications.
The CDC identified slivered onions as the likely source of the outbreak, prompting a recall from Taylor Farms, a California-based supplier.
McDonald’s confirmed on October 25 that onions from Taylor Farms’ Colorado facility were distributed to around 900 restaurants in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, and surrounding areas.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
