Onions Linked To McDonald’s E Coli Outbreak

Unsafe Premises - November 2, 2024

Onions Used In McDonald’s Quarter Pounders Linked to E. Coli Outbreak That Hospitalized 27 People

Onions Linked To McDonald's E Coli Outbreak

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (November 2, 2024) – At least one person has died and 27 people were hospitalized following an E. Coli outbreak at McDonald’s.

The Centers for Disease Control stated that fresh, slivered onions were the likely source of the illness. As a result of the outbreak, McDonalds took action to stop using onions from the Taylor Farms Colorado Springs facility.

A spokesperson for McDonald’s said that he believes that the situation appears to be contained. The company temporarily stopped serving quarter pounders, but the item would return to the menu in the following days.

There have been at least three lawsuits filed against the fast food giant in response to the outbreak.

Liability For E Coli Outbreaks

E. coli causes an estimated 73,000 illnesses each year, leading to over 2,000 hospitalizations and 61 deaths. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “E. coli is a group of bacteria that can cause infections in your gut (GI tract), urinary tract and other parts of your body. Most of the time, it can live in your gut without hurting you. But some strains can make you sick with watery diarrhea, vomiting and a fever.” There are a number of common sources of E. coli outbreaks.

  • Undercooked ground beef
  • Raw vegetables or leafy greens
  • Unpasteurized milk
  • Unpasteurized juice
  • Contaminated water sources

Companies have a legal obligation to protect their customers from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. For companies that serve food, they must follow all health and safety standards designed to prevent outbreaks. If a company fails to uphold food safety standards and this leads to an outbreak, this could form the basis of a civil claim. A food provider may have made many mistakes that contributed to an outbreak.

  • A company may have had insufficient sanitation practices.
  • A company may have failed to take measures to prevent cross-contamination.
  • A company may not have used proper temperature control systems.
  • Employees may have failed to follow proper handwashing procedures.

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any E. coli outbreak. This may include the restaurant that served food or any of its suppliers. It is crucial that the source of any E. coli outbreak is determined. Victims should also understand that they do have rights. Any person who has become sickened in an outbreak may have legal recourse through a civil claim.

Getting Legal Help For Foodborne Illnesses

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people who have been impacted by the McDonald’s E. coli outbreak. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent anything similar from happening down the road. There needs to be transparency related to what went wrong.

Have you or someone that you care about been sickened after eating at McDonald’s? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that victims of foodborne illnesses get the medical and financial support that they are owed under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.