A McDonald’s that posed an “imminent” health risk was fined the equivalent of more than $850,000 after a customer found mouse droppings in his “half-eaten” cheeseburger.
“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 on this matter,” commented Councilor Khevyn Limbajee, Cabinet Member, Waltham Forest Council for Community Safety. as ‘The Independent’ reported on Wednesday.
At a McDonald’s branch in Leytonstone, east London, England, a customer was horrified to discover mouse droppings in the wrapper of his “half-eaten” cheeseburger, a court hearing heard this week.
‘Decomposing’ mouse carcasses, droppings ‘all over the place’: The customer’s complaint would have led to the discovery of an uncontrollable rodent infestation by environmental health officials, who immediately forced the place to close and even evicted customers mid-meal, according to UK media.
Along with mouse droppings found in places like utensil racks, near caramel sauces and in cupboards, inspectors described the kitchen as “filthy, greasy and dusty,” though the cleaning rounds were marked as completed on the papers.
As a result, this week the branch would have pleaded guilty to three counts of sanitation and receive a fine of £500,000, the equivalent of more than $850,000.