A McDonald's customer has filed a lawsuit against the fast-food giant following an E. coli outbreak linked to the chain's Quarter Pounder. The outbreak has been reported to have killed at least one person and sickened dozens across the United States in recent weeks.

Holding McDonald's Accountable for Breaching Consumer Trust

Lawsuit Alleges Negligence and Product Liability

Eric Stelly, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, ate a Quarter Pounder from a McDonald's location in Greeley, Colorado, three weeks ago and subsequently experienced symptoms of E. coli poisoning, including nausea, cramps, and bloody stools. The 10-page lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court in Illinois, accuses McDonald's of negligence, product liability, and other claims related to the illnesses.Stelly's attorney, Ron Simon, a Houston-based lawyer, stated that the lawsuit aims to hold McDonald's and its suppliers accountable for this "unfortunate tragedy." Simon represents more than a dozen other victims who were sickened by the contaminated food. "American consumers should be able to trust that the food they are served is safe from contamination. McDonald's breached that trust, and will now have to earn it back," Simon said.

Outbreak Prompts Investigation and Menu Changes

The lawsuit comes a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) launched an investigation into the E. coli outbreak linked to the Quarter Pounder.In response to the outbreak, McDonald's has pulled the Quarter Pounder from about one-fifth of its restaurants across the affected regions. The company has also stated that consumers should feel safe eating at its restaurants nationwide, despite the ongoing investigation.

Identifying the Contaminated Ingredient

Investigators suspect that the slivered onions used on the Quarter Pounder are the likely culprit, rather than the beef patties. The onions come from a single supplier in the affected regions, while the beef patties are sourced from multiple suppliers, making the beef a less likely source of the contamination.However, the FSIS has not yet completed its investigation into the beef used in the affected areas, so there is no definitive conclusion on the source of the contamination. McDonald's has stated that its priority is to "reinforce the confidence of American consumers" in the wake of the outbreak.

The Dangers of E. coli Infections

According to the CDC, E. coli (Escherichia coli) are bacteria found in the environment, food, and the intestines of people and animals. While most strains are harmless, some can make people sick and cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, or pneumonia.The E. coli outbreak linked to the McDonald's Quarter Pounder has affected 10 states, with 49 known cases reported between September 27 and October 11. Most of the sick individuals reported eating the Quarter Pounder, and one person in Colorado has died, while 10 others have been hospitalized.

Widespread Impact and Ongoing Investigations

McDonald's has pulled the Quarter Pounder from its menus in several states, including Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as parts of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The company has stated that "many more illnesses are expected to be reported" as the investigation continues.The lawsuit filed by Eric Stelly seeks a jury trial and more than ,000 in damages. As the investigation into the E. coli outbreak continues, it remains to be seen how McDonald's will address the issue and work to regain the trust of its customers.