08 August,2012 06:54 AM IST | | Vedika chaubey
If this was the fast food joint's idea of introducing some iron into its junk fare, then it at least managed to rivet the attention of Ruchika Pandey, though not in a favourable way. The 41-year-old NRI discovered a half-inch nail while chomping on a burger at a McDonald's outlet in Malad (W). The Dubai resident has filed a police complaint.
Scary: Ruchika Pandey found a half-inch nail (insert) while chomping on a burger at a McDonald's outlet at the Infinitiu00a0mall in Malad (W), on Sunday.u00a0Pics/Anita Anand
Ruchika was at the Infiniti mall eatery around 10.30 pm on Sunday with two friends in tow. "We had ordered three chicken burgers. It was a scary sight when the nail emerged out of my burger. I immediately called the staff and informed them about it," she said.
But the McDonald's representatives were uncooperative, she says. "They promptly threw my burger into the dustbin and placed a new one on my table.
I told them that I wanted the original burger - with the nail - back, but they wouldn't listen to me. I had to fight for about two hours for them to oblige.
Instead of assisting me, they started telling me that they would lose their jobs because of my complaint. I was shocked with their behaviour. Later, they asked me to come back next morning. Also, they offered to refund the money I had paid for the burgers," she said.
Ruchika says she recently underwent a surgery and has become circumspect about what she eats. Back in the city after four-and-a-half years, she says this is her worst experience in Mumbai. "I told the McDonald's staff to call for inspection so they can at least check the hygiene quotient of the food. But, they refused to help me," she added.
Bun-gle up!
Ruchika then went over to Bangur Nagar police station. "I gave them a complaint in writing and the cops told me they would visit the McDonald's outlet and also send the burger for testing," she said.
"I am doing it for the kids who eat burgers without even chewing them much. They virtually swallow them. I shudder while imagining this happening to a child," she told MiD DAY.
Her lawyer, Dr Ramakant Pandey, is also planning to file a case against McDonald's on her behalf.
He said,"This is a very unfortunate oversight by such a big international company. I will be speaking to Ruchika in detail and will file a complaint against McDonald's soon."
When contacted, Sanjay Patil, investigating officer of the case from Bangur Nagar police station, said, "We have received the complaint and have also sent the burger for testing to a Dadar lab."
The other side
"We are aware of the incident at our Malad restaurant. We are currently investigating the issue and senior officials from our team are in touch with the customer.
At McDonald's we ensure that apt actions are always taken to ensure that the highest level of service standards and quality products, for which McDonald's is renowned the world over, are consistently maintained. Stringent quality measures are observed at our restaurant to ensure a quality product is served to our patrons.
In addition, all our suppliers are Hazard Analysis or Critical Control Points [HACCP] approved to ensure that they meet McDonald's international standards of food safety. All our products are tested by an independent FSSAI approved laboratory in India."
- Statement by McDonald's official spokespersonu00a0
