McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger (pictured) said Wednesday he is “very confident” customers can still go to McDonald’s amid an E coli outbreak.
McDonald’s bosses are pleading with Americans to continue eating at their restaurants amid a “severe” E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounder burger.
Joe Erlinger, the fast-food giant’s U.S. president, said the chain “took swift action” to remove the burger from affected states.
The Quarter Pounder has been temporarily eliminated in Colorado, Kansas, Utah and Wyoming, as well as certain areas of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Erlinger added that investigators had highlighted two items that may have been the source of contamination: sliced onions and beef patties used specifically in the Quarter Pounder, which 100,000 Americans across the United States purchase every day.
Those ingredients are not used in any other menu items.
Erlinger said TODAY: ‘We are very confident that you can go to McDonald’s and enjoy our classics.
‘This was quick and decisive action on our part, and it is the quarter pounder and two ingredients in that quarter pounder that are under investigation by the CDC.
“That’s why I want to tell our consumers that today they can confidently go to McDonald’s.”
The CDC announced Tuesday that 49 people in 10 states became ill with E coli after eating at McDonald’s.
An “older” man in Colorado died and a child was hospitalized with severe kidney damage related to the infection.
The CDC announced that 49 people in 10 states became ill with E coli after eating at McDonald’s. Most ate a quarter pounder (pictured)
The CDC said a total of 10 patients have been hospitalized for the condition, which affects more than 110,000 Americans per year and kills up to one in five of them.
However, officials said the actual number of sick people is “probably much higher” than the reported cases, as many patients recover without undergoing testing or treatment.
Erlinger said the company works closely with its supplier and the CDC.
He said: ‘Food safety is our top priority at McDonald’s, it’s the top priority in this building where I am, at McDonald’s headquarters. It’s a top priority at our nearly 14,000 McDonald’s restaurants across the United States. It is also the top priority for our suppliers.
‘This is something we talk about as if it were everyone’s business. And while the investigation continues, and we will continue to get into the details of those investigations, I don’t think that’s what’s important.
“What is important today is that we have taken steps to protect the American public and promote public health.”
Erlinger noted that since the outbreak of the disease occurred between September 27 and October 11, any contaminated products “most likely have already passed through the supply chain.”
“But we will certainly work with the CDC and cooperate with them in the investigation, collect more data and let science continue to guide our actions,” he added.
Cesar Piña, McDonald’s North America supply chain director, said initial findings from the CDC investigation indicate the outbreak may be linked to onions sourced from a single supplier serving three distribution centers.
He said: “As a result, and in accordance with our safety protocols, all local restaurants have been ordered to remove this product from their supply and we have stopped the distribution of all sliced onions in the affected area.”
He added: ‘We take food safety very seriously and it is the right thing to do. “Affected restaurants will receive a stock recovery notice today and should contact their supply chain or distribution center manager with any questions.”
He assured shoppers that all other menu items were not affected and were available.
Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli include severe diarrhea and vomiting.
E coli are bacteria typically found in the intestines of animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, and deer.
While most are harmless, some can cause a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.
The bacteria can be found in food and water contaminated with feces from infected animals.
E coli infection sickens about 95,000 Americans a year and kills 17 to 20 percent.
Young children and older adults are at the highest risk of dying from E coli because they have naturally weakened immune systems.
Symptoms include diarrhea, fever above 102 F, vomiting, and signs of dehydration such as lack of urine or dry mouth, the CDC said.
Patients in the current outbreak were infected with the O157:H7 strain, the most common strain in humans that has been shown to cause serious intestinal infections.
The CDC said, “If you have severe symptoms of E. coli infection after eating a Quarter Pounder burger at McDonald’s, seek medical attention and tell your provider about what you ate.”