McDonald’s Invests $100 Million to Rebuild Customer Trust
Following an outbreak of E. coli food poisoning tied to onions on its Quarter Pounder hamburgers, McDonald’s is investing $100 million to bring customers back to its stores.
Investments to Support Hardest-Hit Franchises
The company will allocate $65 million directly to its hardest-hit franchises, a move aimed at supporting these locations and rebuilding customer trust.
Root Cause of Outbreak Identified
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that slivered onions on the Quarter Pounders were the likely source of the E. coli outbreak. Taylor Farms in California recalled onions potentially linked to the outbreak.
Impact of the Outbreak
The outbreak affected at least 104 people, with 34 hospitalized and one person dying in Colorado. Four people developed a potentially life-threatening kidney disease complication. The illnesses were reported between September 12 and October 21 in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, and New Mexico.
Return to Normal Operations
Quarter Pounders were removed from menus in several states in the early days of the outbreak. McDonald’s identified an alternate supplier for the 900 restaurants that temporarily stopped serving the burgers with onions. Over the past week, McDonald’s resumed selling Quarter Pounders with slivered onions nationwide.
Food Safety Concerns Addressed
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that “there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants.”
Conclusion
McDonald’s is taking proactive steps to rebuild customer trust and confidence in its brand. The $100 million investment will support its hardest-hit franchises and help the company recover from the outbreak. As the fast-food giant continues to serve its customers, it is essential to prioritize food safety and transparency to prevent similar incidents in the future.
FAQs
Q: What was the likely source of the E. coli outbreak?
A: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that slivered onions on the Quarter Pounder hamburgers were the likely source of the E. coli outbreak.
Q: How many people were affected by the outbreak?
A: At least 104 people were affected by the outbreak, with 34 hospitalized and one person dying in Colorado. Four people developed a potentially life-threatening kidney disease complication.
Q: What is McDonald’s doing to rebuild customer trust?
A: McDonald’s is investing $100 million to support its hardest-hit franchises and rebuild customer trust. The company is also prioritizing food safety and transparency to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Q: Is the outbreak over?
A: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that “there does not appear to be a continued food safety concern related to this outbreak at McDonald’s restaurants.”
