McDonald's 'sorry' after E. Coli outbreak linked to burger: What customers need to know

McDonald's chief executive Chris Kempczinski has apologised to customers affected by an E. coli outbreak in the United States, which has been linked to the fast-food chain's popular Quarter Pounder burger. The incident marks another challenge for McDonald's, which has been grappling with slowing sales amid rising costs and shifting consumer habits.

"We are sorry for what our customers experienced," Kempczinski said in a statement on Tuesday. "We offer our sincere and deepest sympathies and are committed to making this right."

While the company does not expect the health scare to significantly impact sales, executives acknowledged that the outbreak adds to mounting pressures, reported BBC.

A growing number of budget-conscious consumers are cutting back on dining out, leading to disappointing performance this year, Kempczinski reportedly noted during an investor update.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), working alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), released a statement saying they had conducted a thorough investigation and ruled out beef as the likely source of contamination.

“Testing on beef patties by the Colorado Department of Agriculture is complete and all samples were found to be negative for E. coli. FSIS will continue to work closely with federal and state partners to monitor the outbreak,” the statement read.

People infected with E. coli experience severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Symptoms typically start 3 to 4 days after consuming contaminated food, with recovery expected within a week. However, in some cases, patients may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney condition that may require hospitalisation. Children under 5, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of severe illness.

When to seek medical help:

Seek immediate medical care if experiencing:

• High fever (above 102°F)
• Diarrhea persisting beyond three days or containing blood
• Inability to keep liquids down due to vomiting
• Signs of dehydration, such as low urine output, dry mouth, or dizziness when standing