New Delhi: Popular fast-food chain McDonald’s was fined around Rs 5 crore (€475,000 plus €22,000) after a rat infestation was detected. The matter came to light after a customer in London reported a mouse falling into his cheeseburger from a McDonald’s restaurant. Following an investigation by officers, Thames Magistrates’ Court found the fast-food chain unhygienic and ordered it to pay a fine.
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District Judge Susan Holdham said: “When customers go to McDonald’s, they expect and have a right to the highest standards in food hygiene. This is no backstreet burger or kebab bar – children go to McDonald’s for a treat.”
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According to reports, the customer had eaten half of his cheeseburger when he noticed a mouse falling inside the wrapper.
Waltham Forest Council launched an investigation following a customer complaint and found mouse droppings and decomposing rat remains. It added, “Officers investigated and found a dirty kitchen with rat droppings and even the rotting remains of one of the rats – the restaurant was immediately closed.”
BIG MUCK: McDonald’s was fined £475,000 and £22,000 costs at Thames Magistrates’ Court yesterday after a customer reported finding rat droppings in the Leytonstone branch. #walthamforest Council in 2021. pic.twitter.com/wtATz8zfQR— Waltham Forest Council (@wfcouncil) May 3, 2023
Cllr Khevin Limbaji, Waltham Forest Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “We are grateful for the quick thinking of the customer in this matter who reported the matter to the council for investigation.
“There was a significant risk to the health of residents and visitors to Waltham Forest and as such the Council had no choice but to take formal action in this matter.
He said: “McDonald’s is a large and well-experienced food business operator in the fast-food sector serving thousands of meals per week to its customers, so the risk presented at the Leytonstone store was significant.
“It is appreciated that McDonald’s has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and admitted fault, however as a council we take food hygiene seriously and will not hesitate to follow up on complaints and take action against anyone who operates a food business.” Will take appropriate action though.
“Residents and visitors should feel reassured and assured that when they check the food hygiene rating of a premises in Waltham Forest, they know that their food has been cooked in a clean and safe environment and that we are fully responsible for serious hygiene breaches Take a zero-tolerance approach.”