202 sick in Illinois after eating McDonald’s salads
More than half of the illnesses reported by people who ate contaminated salads at various McDonald’s locations throughout the country have occurred in Illinois. Of the 395 illnesses reported in 15 states, there have been 202 cases in Illinois since the outbreak began in May. Additionally, one person in Connecticut, one person in Tennessee, and one person in Virginia became ill after purchasing salads in Illinois while traveling.
The salads were contaminated with cyclospora, a finding that was confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the final analysis of an unused package of Fresh Express salad mix. Fresh Express supplied the salad mixes to all the McDonald’s locations affected by the food poisoning outbreak. McDonald’s has now switched to a new salad supplier. Nonetheless, it remains unclear what happened to cause the outbreak, and whether cross contamination, poor personal hygiene, or a breakdown in safety procedures facilitated the outbreak.
People in 15 states across the country have become ill after eating salads purchased at McDonald’s restaurants in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Sixteen of those people have been hospitalized.
Most people infected with Cyclospora develop diarrhea, with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. Some people who are infected with cyclospora do not have any symptoms. If not treated, the illness may last from a few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times (relapse).
The law firm of Ron Simon & Associates is actively working on behalf of several victims of the McDonald’s salad cyclospora outbreak. If you have been affected by eating contaminated salads, please contact the food poisoning lawyers at 1-888-335-4901 to learn more about your legal options.
