An 88-year-old grandfather tragically died after eating a McDonald's Quarter Pounder hamburger, with his family saying he 'put his trust' in the fast food chain.
Colorado native JC Smith made his way to McDonald's a few weeks ago and ordered his favourite burger, before being admitted to hospital just days later, where health tests revealed that he had contracted the deadly bacterial infection of E.coli.
Experiencing symptoms such as dizziness and bloody diarrhoea, the elderly man was in hospital for four days before finding out.
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Despite a health official speaking to the family to ask where JC had eaten before being admitted to hospital, the Smiths claim that they weren't told to avoid any specific restaurants.
The grandfather returned to McDonald's and once again ordered the Quarter Pounder and became more unwell, suffering with stomach pain that would cause him to violently move his arms and legs around.
His daughter, Debbie Bonnell, said to CBS: "All he wanted to do was enjoy a hamburger with his wife. He put his trust in these restaurants, and all we want is our dad back."
Smith sadly passed away on 20 October, and health authorities would announce just two days later that the likely source of E.coli was the McDonald's Quarter Pounder.
Bonnell further added: "We watched my daddy have excruciating pain for many days - thrashing his arms and legs around. It was very hard.
"I would hold his hand and pray and tell him to try and rest, 'We are here with you' and 'We are getting help for you.'"
Both Smith and his wife had the Quarter Pounder, the difference being that she didn't like onions (the likely source of the outbreak), later admitting to CBS: "I took mine off and gave mine to him. I feel guilty now because I gave him some onions."
By 25 October, the fast food chain pinpointed Taylor Farms’ Colorado Springs facility was the 'likely source of contamination'.
It has been reported that 90 people in 13 states have fallen sick following the E.coli outbreak, while 27 have been left hospitalised. Smith is the only death from the outbreak so far.
A 15-year-old girl developed serious kidney conditions, which could render her requiring treatment for the rest of her life.
McDonalds stated on 30 October: "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced they have now linked this outbreak, which appears to be contained, to slivered onions as the likely source.
"Due to McDonald’s swift action, they report the risk to the public continues to be very low and there have been no reported illnesses since McDonald’s took action to remove slivered onions."
The burger is now back on the menu, and is being served in 700 restaurants without onions.
LADbible has contacted McDonald's for a comment.