An American man has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s following an E. coli infection linked to the fast-food chain’s Quarter Pounder burgers. The outbreak has reportedly affected dozens, with nearly 50 individuals sickened and one fatality recorded.
The plaintiff, a Colorado resident, tested positive for E. coli after consuming a hamburger at a McDonald’s restaurant. He has now filed his case in an Illinois court, seeking over $50,000 in damages. The lawsuit alleges that McDonald’s was negligent regarding hygiene practices and food preparation standards.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the E. coli outbreak has extended to 10 states, with the majority of cases reported in Colorado and Nebraska. Of the nearly 50 infected individuals, 10 have required hospitalization. The affected individuals were found to have contracted the same strain of E. coli, with all reporting having eaten Quarter Pounder burgers prior to the onset of symptoms.
The outbreak, which began in late September, has been traced by McDonald’s to contaminated onions provided by one of its suppliers. As a precautionary response, McDonald’s has temporarily halted the sale of Quarter Pounders in the impacted states.
