Kevin O’Leary urges McDonald’s management to have ‘100% transparency’ in outbreak of E. coli
O’Leary Ventures Chairman Kevin O’Leary breaks down the fast food frenzy on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
If Kevin O’Leary were the head of McDonald’s, America’s favorite fast food chain, he would make sure that management is transparent with customers because of its recent outbreak of E. coli.
“A century of transparency, as soon as management gets information,” the chairman of O’Leary Ventures advised on “Claman Countdown” on Wednesday.
“Put it there. That’s the key,” he added. “You need to maintain trust between the buyer and the management, because this is a dynamic issue.”
McDonald’s and several government agencies are still investigating the source of the E. coli linked to a menu staple: Quarter Pounder hamburgers.
MCDONALD ADMITS TRUMP-FRY BUT WILL NOT BRING BACK 2024 PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL: ‘NOT RED OR BLUE’
On Wednesday, the company confirmed that beef had not been ruled out as the cause, although previous reports pointed to sliced green onions being used in the Quarter Pounders.
Kevin O’Leary tells FOX Business’ Liz Claman what he would do if he were the head of McDonald’s during the E. coli. (Getty Images)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture confirmed that 49 people became ill in several states after eating Quarter Pounders. There have been 10 hospitalizations and one death linked to the outbreak.
O’Leary gave an example from Tylenol in 1982 when there was a nationwide panic over a series of deaths due to suspected drug abuse.
“It’s an example for many of us who teach at various institutions, how a company can do that by being completely transparent and maintaining trust and taking the whole product off the shelf. It’s a chestnut case in business schools,” said O’Leary. .
Personalized Care Medical Specialist Dr. Frank Contacessa discusses the symptoms of foodborne E. coli in ‘Varney & Co.’
“McDonald’s is a trusted brand in America. Millions of people use it and trust it, and that’s what they have to protect is that trust,” he continued.
McDonald’s spokespeople also said Wednesday that the CDC notified the company of the outbreak last week, and that the company is working with relevant agencies to determine whether the beef or onion — two ingredients in the sandwich that could be E. coli – are things that carry E. cause.
This businessman criticized McDonald’s for not informing the public and its customers quickly.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
McDonald’s President Joe Erlinger appeared on the “Today” show Tuesday to discuss the company’s $5 meal plan to help offset rising fast food prices.
“That’s right [about] never hold back, because in the end in these stories, everything comes out. Everything, everything, everything,” O’Leary noted, “whether it’s leaked or intentionally revealed, every second of new information, get it out there.”
“But if you’re listening to us right now, this is very important. Even if you’re being heard [like you’re] you stumble or you don’t have all the important information, find what you have and explain… That’s how you keep trusting the family. And McDonald’s has a family of Americans who go there to eat.”
READ MORE AT FOX BUSINESS
Breck Dumas of FOX Business contributed to this report.
Source link
