A deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers has led to two lawsuits, with the fast-food giant facing growing scrutiny over its food safety practices.
Clarissa DeBock from Nebraska and a Colorado man, Eric Stelly, have both filed lawsuits against the company after contracting the E. coli O157:H7 strain, which has been linked to slivered onions used in the burgers.
As per NBC News, DeBock fell ill five days after eating a Quarter Pounder at her local McDonald’s, experiencing severe abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, and nausea.Testing at the hospital confirmed her infection was related to the outbreak, which has sickened 49 people across 10 states and caused one death.
“It’s scary because you trust fast-food places like McDonald’s to serve safe food,” DeBock said. She is seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and physical and emotional suffering. Stelly’s lawsuit, filed in Chicago, also alleges negligence by McDonald’s, seeking damages of over $50,000, NBC reported.
Eric Stelly, a Colorado resident, on Wednesday filed what is believed to be the first lawsuit against McDonald’s over the outbreak. Stelly ate at a McDonald’s in Greeley, Colorado, on October 4 and developed symptoms a few days later.
He tested positive for E. coli, with health officials confirming his case was linked to the McDonald’s outbreak, reported the news agency Reuters.
Stelly’s lawsuit, filed in Cook County, Illinois, where McDonald’s is headquartered, alleges that the fast-food chain was negligent in handling food safety protocols. He is seeking over $50,000 in damages for medical bills, lost wages, and the severe complications caused by the illness.
The outbreak has particularly affected people across the West and Midwest, with one death and 10 hospitalisations due to serious complications from the E. coli strain.
Outbreak linked to slivered onions
McDonald’s has since paused the distribution of slivered onions in affected areas after identifying the ingredient as the likely source of the contamination. Taylor Farms, the supplier of the onions, has initiated a recall of the affected products.
The US Department of Agriculture is also testing samples of the beef patties to determine whether they played a role in the outbreak.
Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, acknowledged the breach of trust and said the company is taking steps to rebuild public confidence. “Food safety is our top priority,” he stated, emphasising the importance of actions taken to protect the public and restore trust.
