McDonald’s stock lost about 7% of its value, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States of America announced that one person died and dozens were infected with Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria linked to McDonald’s sandwiches in 10 states, led by Colorado, where 26 people were infected. .
The stock fell 6.88% in pre-opening trading to $293.03, at the time of writing the report.
Officials said that an outbreak of this type of bacteria linked to the “Quarter Pounder” sandwiches, one of the most popular items on the McDonald’s menu, led to 49 people being infected and 10 being transferred to the hospital.
The strain of bacteria in question can cause serious illness and was the source of a 1993 outbreak that killed four children who ate undercooked sandwiches at Jack in the Box restaurants.
Reuters quoted a livestock trader as saying that the outbreak may also affect US cattle futures today by threatening demand for beef.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the ingredient linked to the disease has not yet been identified, but investigators are focusing on fresh sliced onions and beef.
For its part, McDonald’s said – in a statement – that it will temporarily remove “Quarter Pounder” sandwiches from its restaurants in the affected areas, adding that it is working with suppliers to replenish supplies next week.
Symptoms of E. coli include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.
McDonald’s County
It is noteworthy that McDonald’s restaurants are under boycott in most regions of the Arab and Islamic world, due to their appearance in Israel distributing free meals to Israeli occupation soldiers, in support of them in their war on Gaza, which prompted the American company to buy the Israeli franchise after blaming its owner for supporting… Occupation soldiers.
McDonald’s global sales declined during the second quarter of this year, their first decline in 13 quarters, affected by high inflation rates, the repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East, and the slowdown in growth recovery in China.
The company’s revenues declined in the second quarter by 0.12% to $6.49 billion, while market expectations suggested an increase in revenues of 0.5%.
