A California distributor, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce, has began recalling their cucumber produce because of identified salmonella in tested cucumbers. These cucumbers were imported from Mexico, and at least 285 cucumbers are supposedly infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the cucumbers were most likely the cause of the outbreak of salmonella that began from July 3 over 27 states. These cucumbers distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce are sold under the company’s “Limited Edition” label from August 1st to September 3rd. Fred Williamson, the company president has said “The safety and welfare of consumers is the highest priority for our company.” The cucumbers were delivered to grocery stores and restaurants in 18 states. Whole Foods has released statements that they do not carry cucumbers from the distributor.

The bacteria has killed a 99-year old San Diego women and nearly 300 people to the hospital with more than half of those infected have been younger than 18 years old. Another Minnesota women has filed a lawsuit as she spent a week in the hospital after learning the meal she ate at Red Lobster contained the cucumbers under suspicion.

The FDA and state officials are urging people to read the stickers on their produce.

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After Burger King’s proposal to McDonalds for a collaboration burger in efforts to raise awareness to International Peace Day, other fast food restaurants are trying to get their share in the collaboration. McDonald’s has publicly announced that they have no intentions of collaborating with Burger King, but other fast food chains like Denny’s and Krystal are hoping to replace McDonald’s as an alternative collaboration partner. Denny’s has released a video with a potential “Slopper, SlamWhopper etc.,” a combination of the Whopper and Denny’s Bacon Slamburger. Krystal has also released a letter to Burger King, through their social media platforms, suggesting that they can be an alternative to McDonald’s.

However, while Burger King’s collaboration idea was in efforts to raise awareness to International Peace Day, a backfire from McDonald’s and other competitive fast food burger chains wanting to join in on Burger King’s “campaign,” lead to discredit of advocations of peace. The group behind International Day of Peace responded to tweets stating that “We have nothing to do with this ill conceived stunt…neither does peace…” Initially, Burger King’s collaboration proposal brought positive responses from Peace One Day, the organization that they would donate all profit to, as a representative said this type of exposure would increase awareness dramatically.

Burger King has yet to respond to both Denny’s and Krystal.

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Burger King has recently launched a proposal to McDonald’s in efforts to support International Day of Peace. McDonald’s and Burger King has long been a rival in the fast food burger industry, but Burger King proposed to create a charitable cause where all profits would go towards the awareness group, Peace One Day by combining Burger King’s iconic Whopper and McDonald’s famous Big Mac.

Burger King has launched a website, that breaks down their proposed ideas for this campaign. The “McWhopper” would have 6 ingredients of both the Big Mac and of the Whopper. While it would be a one day pop up shop, the location would potentially be in Atlanta, Georgia, the half-way point between Burger King Headquarters and McDonald’s Headquarters. Burger King has even sketched potential employee uniforms and packaging that evenly share both McDonald’s theme colors and Burger King’s themed colors. In efforts to support and create awareness of the International Day of Peace, Burger King has also suggested that burgers be bought not through money but by declaring their very own “tray mat truces” where customers will “#settlethebeef with ” someone. Burger King has launched multiple distribution platforms, with their own website, youtube videos, advertisments and with social media.

While Burger King was open to negotiating the sketched proposal, McDonald’s has expressed that they have no intentions of collaborating with Burger King. McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook has stated through Facebook and Twitter posts that while inspiration for a good cause is a great idea, the two brands could do something bigger to make a difference. “We commit to raising awareness worldwide, and hope that you [Burger King] will join us in a meaningful global effort.” Moreover, Easterbrook continues in his response “let’s acknowledge that between us there is simply a friendly business competition and certainly not the unequaled circumstance of the real pain and suffering of war. P.S. A simple phone call will do next time.”

McDonald’s hasn’t outright stated that they have rejected Burger King’s proposal, “We will be in touch soon” but has suggested through their social media posts and response that they have no intentions to raise awareness of International Peace Day with a collaboration with Burger King.

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