Quarter Pounder Crisis

Many busy students enjoy fast food when they are on their way from one activity to the next; however, certain items on these fast-food menus have become more dangerous to consumers' health than usual. 

Recently, there has been an outbreak of E. coli in McDonald's quarter-pounders. Since this incident first began, the cause has been proven to be the onions on their burgers. As expected, this has caused a great decline in sales at many of these franchises. CNN comments on this situation saying, “On Wednesday, the day after the E. coli outbreak was announced, customer visits to McDonald’s dropped 6.4% across the country and 24% in Colorado, where the outbreak was most prevalent” However, it is not shocking people don’t want to go through these severe consequences that can come from a fast food burger.

Since being tested and proven negative for E. coli bacteria, the quarter-pounders without the onions have returned to the McDonald's menu without onions. 

Although these burgers are deemed safe, the franchise needs to take more precautions to ensure their food is safe before they consume it. Though McDonald's is taking action to stop this outbreak now, it is too late; there have been deaths and an alarming amount of illnesses from this.  According to USA Today, “As of Oct. 24, the outbreak has caused 75 total illnesses across 13 states, inducing 22 hospitalizations and one death in Colorado. Two people also developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure.” 

If this had been the first time large disease outbreaks have resulted from their food customers, they might have been more forgiving; however, this has happened time and time again ranging from their drinks, sauces, and foods, to their happy meal toys. According to “Mashed,” some examples of these numerous recalls are plastic being found in their McNuggets; incorrect product ingredients and expiration dates being shown on their sweet and sour sauce; parasites called cyclospora being found in their lettuce, sickening and hospitalizing many. 

Mcdonald's has been given countless chances to ensure the safety of their food and protect their customers, however, recalls are still being made left and right. It is up to the people to decide if they want to continuously consume these detrimental foods.

By Maddie Peters