Fast food giant McDonald’s is investing $100 million to bring back customers after an E. coli outbreak linked to onions in its Quarter Pounder hamburgers. The investment includes $65 million allocated directly to the franchises most affected by the outbreak, the company stated.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had earlier stated that slivered onions on the Quarter Pounders were likely the source of the E. coli outbreak. Meanwhile, Taylor Farms in California has recalled onions that may be linked to the contamination.
At least 30 cases were reported in Colorado, 19 in Montana, and 13 in Nebraska, while New Mexico reported 10 cases. According to federal health officials, these cases were reported between September 12 and October 21, with at least 104 people falling ill and 34 requiring hospitalization.
The Food and Drug Administration said, “There does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants.”
However, the outbreak damaged the company’s sales.
In the early days of the outbreak, Quarter Pounders were removed from menus in several states. McDonald’s found an alternate supplier for the 900 restaurants that temporarily halted serving the burgers with onions. Last week, McDonald’s resumed selling Quarter Pounders with slivered onions nationwide.