In a chilling reminder of foodborne risks, a Colorado man has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s, claiming that a Quarter Pounder burger led to his serious E. coli infection amidst a fast-spreading outbreak tied to the iconic fast-food chain. Eric Stelly, the plaintiff, alleges he became ill after eating at a McDonald’s in Greeley, Colorado, on October 4, with health officials later confirming his infection was part of the outbreak that has now sickened close to 50 people, including one fatality.
The legal action, filed in Cook County, Illinois—where McDonald’s is headquartered—seeks damages exceeding $50,000, with claims of negligence over the food’s handling. This legal move comes amid a massive shakeup at McDonald’s, as locations across the U.S. West and Midwest struggle to address the crisis. Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, acknowledged the urgency in restoring public confidence after the chain removed the Quarter Pounder from roughly 3,000 locations.
As health agencies like the CDC and USDA zero in on potential sources, slivered onions used in the burger have become a primary suspect. Preliminary tests indicate onions as the probable cause, though further scrutiny of beef samples is underway. E. coli O157
, the particular strain involved, draws a disturbing parallel to the infamous 1993 Jack in the Box outbreak that claimed four young lives.
With investigations intensifying, McDonald’s suppliers maintain that rigorous tests were performed during the CDC’s timeframe, yet the strain in question was not identified. Meanwhile, the legal case against McDonald’s continues to evolve, potentially setting a precedent for others affected by this unsettling health crisis.
