Amariyah Mallory 
Micky D’s, aka, McDonald’s is working hard to ensure its customers that their food is still safe to consume after people have gotten sick and even died after eating their product.
“We are very confident that you can go to McDonald’s and enjoy our classics” without getting sick, McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger said on NBC’s “Today Show” on Wednesday.
The sickness is related to their popular menu item, the Quarter Pounder. The burger is usually topped with cheese, mustard, pickles, ketchup and onions. The onions are said to be the source of the E. Coli outbreak. McDonald’s says these onions, from Taylor Farms, located in Salinas, have affected over 40 people.
Taylor Farms issued a statement Thursday attesting to the quality of their products, “We test both raw and finished products for pathogens and have found no traces of E. coli. We have never seen E. Coli O157:H7 associated with onions in the past.”
E. Coli is a harmful gut infection that can be contracted from eating contaminated foods. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and other illnesses.
The sandwiches will temporarily be removed from the menu in some states while the company makes supply changes, according to the CDC.
Joe Erlinger, the president of McDonald’s said he believes that “if there has been contaminated product within our supply chain, it’s very likely worked itself through that supply chain already,” but he acknowledged that the number of illnesses reported may rise as the CDC investigates and traces cases.
Multiple states have accumulated these cases with Colorado having the leading number of cases, and a case that resulted in a death.
“Serving customers safely in every single restaurant, each and every day, is our top priority,” McDonald’s said in a statement Tuesday. The restaurant will remain open amidst the investigation. Stay safe!
By Amariyah Mallory, Junior, Whitney Young
IG| Dancemari_
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