A Colorado man has initiated a lawsuit against McDonald’s, alleging negligence following a significant E. coli outbreak linked to the popular Quarter Pounder burgers. The outbreak has resulted in one fatality and sickened nearly 50 individuals across the Western and Midwestern United States.
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by Eric Stelly, a resident of Greeley, Colorado. Stelly claims he dined at a McDonald’s location in Greeley on October 4, only to later test positive for E. coli. Colorado health officials subsequently informed him that his illness was connected to the ongoing outbreak.
Stelly is seeking damages exceeding $50,000, asserting that McDonald’s failed to ensure the safety of its food products. As news of the lawsuit broke, McDonald’s stock experienced a brief decline, yet shares ultimately rose by 0.5%.
In a statement, McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger emphasized the fast-food chain’s commitment to restoring public trust, revealing that the Quarter Pounder has been removed from the menu in 20% of its 14,000 U.S. restaurants.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the outbreak has led to serious health complications, with ten individuals hospitalized. Ron Simon, the attorney representing Stelly, has indicated that he is also representing an additional 15 clients who have been affected by the outbreak.
Both the CDC and McDonald’s are currently investigating the sources of the contaminated food, focusing on slivered onions and beef patties. Preliminary reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggest that the onions may be the likely cause, although testing of the beef samples for E. coli is ongoing.
The E. coli O157 strain linked to this outbreak bears resemblance to a notorious 1993 incident involving Jack in the Box that tragically resulted in the deaths of four children. Despite the rigorous testing of their products, McDonald’s suppliers did not identify this specific strain during the CDC’s defined outbreak period.
As this case unfolds, consumers are urged to stay informed about food safety and remain vigilant when dining out.
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