A McDonalds sign hangs outside the fast food restaurant on July 26, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
A Colorado man is suing McDonald’s after he became sick from eating the restaurant’s food said to be contaminated with E. coli.
At least 26 people in Colorado have fallen ill in connection with the outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including one person in Mesa County who died from complications of an E. coli infection. The CDC announced its investigation into the outbreak Tuesday, saying it has affected 49 people across 10 states.
Most of the sick people reported eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounders ahead of their illness.
McDonald’s has temporarily suspended use of fresh slivered onions and quarter-pound beef patties in affected regions.
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Greeley resident Eric Stelly ate food at a local McDonald’s on Oct. 4, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Cook County, Illinois, where the fast food chain is headquartered. Stelly became sick with symptoms of an E. coli infection two days later, and testing in the emergency room confirmed the infection on Oct. 8.
The lawsuit states that Stelly is still recovering. He is seeking damages of $50,000 for product liability, negligence and breach of warranty.
The Colorado cases involve residents of Arapahoe, Chaffee, El Paso, Gunnison, Larimer, Mesa, Routt, Teller, and Weld counties, with 18 coming from Mesa County, according to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment spokesperson Hope Shuler. That doesn’t mean those people ate at a McDonald’s in their home county.
On Thursday, Taylor Farms issued a recall of several yellow onion products due to potential E. coli contamination. There is no direct indication that Taylor Farms produce was involved in the E. coli outbreak.
E. coli are common bacteria that can cause illness. Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, vomiting and dehydration.
Health officials recommend that people who ate a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder and have severe E. coli symptoms should contact their health care provider.
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