McDonald’s in Hong Kong not affected by E coli outbreak linked to burgers in US, firm says

Company says ‘issue does not impact McDonald’s operations in Hong Kong in any way’

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According to McDonald’s menu in Hong Kong, it does not serve the Quarter Pounder. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 6:07pm, 23 Oct 2024Updated: 8:18pm, 23 Oct 2024

The McDonald’s fast food chain in Hong Kong has sought to reassure customers it is not affected by an E coli outbreak linked to Quarter Pounder burgers in the United States, as different ingredients are used locally.

The fast food chain’s announcement on Wednesday followed reports of people falling ill after eating the burgers in the US, with the country’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting 49 cases in 10 states, with one death.

“We want to reassure our customers that this issue does not impact McDonald’s operations in Hong Kong in any way. None of the affected products or ingredients are used in our restaurants in Hong Kong,” the company said.

According to the fast food chain’s menu in the city, it does not serve the Quarter Pounder.

E coli is a pathogen which can cause gastrointestinal problems such as intestinal bleeding. It can be transmitted through drinking contaminated water or eating undercooked and contaminated foods.

US diners reportedly fell ill after eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounders, with the CDC saying investigators were working to determine whether onions were the source of the outbreak.