McDonald's is returning the Egg McMuffin to its original price

The E.coli outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants that has, in the past few days, left one person dead and around 50 ill in the US has been traced to onions sourced from California-based Taylor Farms. The slivered onions were used in the chain's Quarter Pounder hamburgers.

CBS News

Guardian

McDonald’s has reportedly removed the Quarter Pounder hamburger from its menu in many US states, while Taylor Farms recalled several batches of yellow onions produced in Colorado. The Food and Drug Administration is probing the supplier as the possible source of the outbreak.

While no E.coli-related illnesses have been reported among patrons of other restaurant chains, those like Burger King, KFC, and Taco Bell have stopped using onions. Health officials said most of those affected, included the aged adult who died, are from Colorado and Nebraska.

Al Jazeera

Those affected in this outbreak are aged 13-88. While the first E.coli-related case was reported on Sept. 27, authorities notified McDonald's only late last week. One hospitalized child has been diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can reportedly cause kidney failure.

BBC News

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had earlier reported that bacteria that led to the recent outbreak  was O157:H7. It causes over 2K hospitalizations and 61 deaths in the US annually, with young children and the aged being particularly vulnerable.

E.coli produces the shiga toxin, leaving those infected experiencing severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. They mostly recover in 5-7 days. While most E. coli strains are harmless, some lead to even urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and sepsis.

<em>E. coli</em> Infection (<em>Escherichia coli</em>)

The Washington Post

CNN #1178

The promotion aims to boost McDonald's nationwide rewards program and encourages customers to customize their Egg McMuffins with additional menu items, such as the "Sweet Chicken Sammie".

The Egg McMuffin, introduced in 1971 in Santa Barbara, California, was the first quick service restaurant breakfast sandwich and has since inspired customer creativity.

In a separate incident, a McDonald's worker in Perry, Georgia, shared a TikTok video of a massive order received by her restaurant, which included 1,600 McChicken sandwiches, 1,600 McDoubles, and 3,200 cookies.

FOX News

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The large order, estimated to cost over $7,000, was reportedly prepared for a local prison and had to be completed within four hours.

TikTok users have been sharing McDonald's menu hacks, including a method to save money on breakfast sandwiches by ordering egg-less versions and adding a "folded egg" on the side.

McDonald's promotion may be seen as a gimmick that doesn't address broader issues in the fast food industry. The focus on app-exclusive deals could alienate customers who prefer traditional ordering methods or lack smartphone access. Additionally, encouraging excessive customization and consumption might contribute to unhealthy eating habits and increased food waste.

McDonald's worker reveals 6,400-item order seen in viral TikTok was prepared for Georgia prison

McDonald's Celebrates 50 Years of Egg McMuffin

Restaurants

Healthy eating

Diseases & conditions

Fast-paced American have traded home cooking for convenience and that involves hidden costs. The recent outbreaks of diseases reveal this dark side of that culture. The industrial food preparation process is peppered with chances of contamination. While cooking at high temperatures kills pathogens, we now increasingly rely on food that need minimal preparation. This is particularly dangerous for the most vulnerable—the very young, elderly, or pregnant.

Atlantic

The Dilemma at the Heart of McDonald’s E. Coli Outbreak

McDonald's demonstrated notable crisis management skills during the E. coli outbreak by swiftly identifying the likely source. Unlike previous industry crises, the company took immediate action by removing Quarter Pounders from its restaurants. Over the years, it has built a foundation of trust that helps it frame this as an anomaly rather than a systemic issue. Proactive communication also helped.

Bloomberg.com

Mcdonald Missed One Lesson From Chipotle E Coli Crisi

There is a 50% chance the first fully automated McDonalds will open in the United States by Jan. 20, 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

McDonald's, Other Chains Pull Onions That Likely Caused E.coli Outbreak

McDonald's, CelebratesOther 50Chains YearsPull ofOnions EggThat McMuffinLikely Caused E.coli Outbreak

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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