Late September a deadly outbreak of E-Coli was discovered and tracked across 13 different states in the U.S. The cause for the outbreak has been traced to fresh slivered onions in the Quarter pounder burger from the menu. The states affected so far have been Montana, Wyoming, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Washington and Oregon.
“Kind of just because I know it’s not in California but it is still risky to eat there,” says Senior Patricia Yadira Mong.
There has been one death linked to the outbreak as well as roughly over 100 people sick and 34 have landed in the hospital. Due to the large controversy and large chains around the world, Mcdonald’s has invested 100 million in order to help bring consumers back. As well as end their partnership with Taylor Farms located in Colorado who distributed the infected onions.
When asked if they have ever gotten sick similarly from E Coli a student responded with, “Well one time, and they had these fries and I threw up, they were nasty.” said Senior Eric Montes
The specific illness and symptoms seen in patients have been high fever and kidney failure. There is a specific demographic that has been affected by the outbreak. Older white men have been the group that gets the disease. It has also been known the people who have gotten ill ate at Mcdonald’s while traveling to another state. When the outbreak was first becoming known all franchises of Mcdonald’s removed the quarter pounder as well as other items off the menu completely.
When a survey was made among a group of students regarding how much they consume Mcdonald’s and whether or not it is dangerous to have it daily, five out of ten agreed it was dangerous and only two out of ten confessed they eat it regularly. “I really like their chicken nuggets I don’t know,” said Senior Marleen Lopez
The CDC has officially declared the outbreak has ended and people’s worries can settle. Though fast food can be seen as something harmful regardless of an infection because it is processed food it is still a reliable resource to many low income families. E Coli is a serious disease and should be taken into consideration not only for fast food but produce and other food products found in an average home. “Well I know it’s a disease but I don’t know how severe it is,” Senior Eric Montes.
