McDonald’s is investing $100 million to bring customers back to its stores after an outbreak of E. coli food poisoning linked to onions in the fast food giant’s Quarter Pounder burgers.
The investment includes $65 million, which will go directly to the hardest-hit franchises, the company said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that the shredded onions in Quarter Pounders are a likely source of E. coli. Taylor Farms in California has recalled onions potentially linked to the outbreak.
At least 30 cases have been reported in Colorado. Montana reported 19 cases. Nebraska, 13 years old. The illness was reported from September 12th to October 21st. At least 104 people have become ill and 34 have been hospitalized, federal health officials said. In Colorado, one person died and four people developed potentially life-threatening kidney disease complications.
“There do not appear to be ongoing food safety concerns associated with this outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants,” the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.
However, the company’s sales took a hit due to the spread of infection.
Quarter Pounders were removed from menus in several states early in the outbreak. McDonald’s has identified alternative suppliers for the 900 restaurants where it has temporarily stopped serving burgers with onions. Last week, McDonald’s resumed selling Quarter Pounders with julienned onions nationwide.
