McDonald's Food Poisoning
McDonald’s serves millions of customers daily in a fast-paced environment. Like all restaurants, McDonald’s must responsibly source, store, and prepare its ingredients while ensuring staff are well-trained in food safety practices. Failure to do so can lead to liability through restaurant food poisoning lawsuits.
There have been multiple McDonald’s food poisoning outbreaks, with many customers reporting illnesses linked to the company’s products. If you suspect that you or a loved one got food poisoning at McDonald’s, Keep Food Safe can connect you with an experienced lawyer to discuss the possibility of filing a food poisoning lawsuit.
Common Causes of Food Poisoning at McDonald’s
Contamination can happen at any point in the food supply chain, including during production and transportation. For example, farmers may use contaminated water on crops, and manufacturers may fail to disinfect their equipment properly. Bacteria and other pathogens can easily transfer from a contaminated source to otherwise clean food.
Food poisoning can also arise when food is cross-contaminated at restaurants. Reasons customers contract foodborne illnesses at McDonald’s and other restaurants include:
- Improperly cleaning prep areas or utensils
- Improperly storing food or leaving it out too long
- Serving unwashed produce
- Not cooking food to the appropriate temperature
- Failure to wear gloves
- Staff not washing hands
Food poisoning usually originates from vegetables and meats, which are key ingredients in McDonald’s menu. However, it can also result from a McDonald’s worker spreading pathogens by coming to work already infected or improperly handling food.
Types of Illnesses That Can Spread From a McDonald’s
Various illnesses can spread due to contaminated food at McDonald’s and other restaurants. Common bacteria and viruses that lead to food poisoning include:
- E. coli – A group of bacteria with six strains that can cause foodborne illnesses. Found in vegetables and undercooked ground meats, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is particularly dangerous and can cause kidney failure, long-term health problems, and death.
- Campylobacter – This bacterium can cause campylobacteriosis. It is commonly found in unpasteurized dairy products, undercooked chicken, and products tainted by contaminated chicken.
- Salmonella – Among other things, this bacterium invades the intestinal lining, making it difficult to retain water. It is commonly found in contaminated milk, raw eggs, and meat. Salmonella spreads through ingestion of contaminated food, direct interaction with an infected human or animal, or cross-contamination on surfaces.
- Cyclospora – A parasite that spreads through infected water used on crops, leading to cyclosporiasis. Health officials often trace Cyclospora to produce from warmer states like Florida or regions outside the United States.
- Norovirus – A highly contagious virus found in vegetables, fruits, and contaminated drinking water. About 20 million people in the United States contract norovirus each year.
McDonald’s Food Poisoning Outbreaks
In 2018, a cyclosporiasis outbreak in the Midwest was traced to a Fresh Express salad mix served at McDonald’s. The outbreak resulted in over 500 cases and at least 24 hospitalizations. In response, McDonald’s pulled the salad mix from its restaurants, and Fresh Express recalled some lettuce it sold to institutional and wholesale customers.
That same year, a norovirus outbreak in North Carolina was linked to McDonald’s, though it was unrelated to contaminated salads. Health officials believe the norovirus outbreak was due to human contamination rather than a particular food item. Norovirus is highly contagious, and a single sick worker can potentially infect anyone who ate in a restaurant during their shifts.
Not all cases of food poisoning traceable to McDonald’s are part of larger outbreaks. Even so, there have been multiple individual accusations of food poisoning its restaurants. An undercooked burger or a single instance of food being left out at room temperature too long can lead to a customer becoming ill. Even if your case was an isolated occurrence, you may still be able to recover compensation through a McDonald’s food poisoning lawsuit.
Safety Tips for Eating at Fast Food Restaurants
Before eating at a fast food restaurant, check its safety inspection scores. Some cities and states require restaurants to post scores. You can also find them on local or state health department websites.
Many fast food restaurants have visible kitchens, allowing you to observe food handling practices. If you see unsafe practices, such as workers placing products on surfaces where raw meat was handled or not wearing gloves, do not order food.
When you receive your food, inspect it to ensure the “hot foods” are hot and the “cold foods” are cold. If you are eating a burger, check that it is fully cooked before you start eating.
Receiving room-temperature food may be a sign that it was left out too long before serving. When food remains at room temperature for more than two hours, bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter can multiply quickly and increase the risk of illness.
If you have any doubts about the safety of your food, send it back. Though it may be uncomfortable to do so, this minor discomfort is worth it compared to the potential serious health effects of food poisoning.
Additional Safety Tips When Eating Takeout Food
- Inspect Food Thoroughly – Always check takeout food to make sure meats are cooked thoroughly. If your food smells “off,” it may be best to discard it.
- Discard Tainted Food – Toss food that you identify as tainted. If you suspect one product in your order bag is tainted, consider throwing away all the food.
- Opt for Nearby Restaurants – When using food delivery apps, stick with restaurants close to you. The longer it takes to deliver your food, the more time harmful bacteria have to multiply.
- Review Inspection Scores – Before you order from a takeout restaurant, check its inspection scores through your local or state public health agencies. Avoid establishments with low scores.
- Consider Customer Reviews – Check restaurant reviews from other customers. Though reviews may not conclusively prove that a restaurant served contaminated food, complaints about hygiene or food quality may be warning signs.
What To Do if You Get Sick From McDonald’s
Seek medical attention immediately if you suspect you contracted food poisoning at McDonald’s. Many people shrug off common food poisoning symptoms because they resemble the flu or a stomach bug. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially if you experience severe or persistent symptoms, such as a high fever, nausea, diarrhea, or dehydration.
Document evidence of the meal you ate and the food poisoning symptoms you experienced. Make a list of everything else you ate that day, as well as your other activities. For example, swimming in or drinking contaminated water can lead to many of the same illnesses as consuming tainted food. Your notes can help pinpoint McDonald’s as the source of your illness.
Again, consider reporting the incident to the health department agencies in your area. Reporting is critical for identifying larger food poisoning outbreaks and protecting others through recalls, safety notices, and news reports.
Can I Sue McDonald’s for Food Poisoning?
Yes. You can sue for McDonald’s food poisoning, though it can be challenging to prove your case without a skilled attorney.
To succeed, you must show that your illness is linked to the food you ate and that McDonald’s is responsible for your damages. Depending on your jurisdiction, your restaurant food poisoning lawsuit may be based on negligence, product liability, breach of warranty, statutory violations, and other legal theories. Cases linked to a documented outbreak that affected numerous people have a higher chance of success.
Even if you are not sure whether you have a strong case, Keep Food Safe can connect with an experienced foodborne illness lawyer to ensure you know your legal rights and options. Most attorneys offer free consultations, so there is no downside to having your case reviewed.
Keep Food Safe is dedicated to protecting consumers, raising awareness about food safety, and helping victims of unsafe food practices exercise their legal rights. Contact us today to learn more.
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