It's never a good sign when a health inspector is denied access to a McDonald's kitchen and is only allowed to enter after threatening to file an administrative complaint. It's even worse when the inspector discovers a host of problems, most notably 25 to 30 dead roaches and five more live ones. WTSP News in Tampa, Florida investigated this McDonald's after a customer filed a complaint in May saying that a live roach fell from the ceiling and into their chicken nuggets. As it turned out, that roach was one among many.
The health inspector was eventually allowed access back in May, but when WTSP visited the McDonald's a few weeks later, the camera crew was not allowed to film the kitchen. They did find "numerous flying insects" around the restaurant, as well as food on the floor. However, WTSP notes that they visited just after the lunch rush, making those findings less unexpected.
McDonald's issued a statement explaining that the company cares deeply about cleanliness and safety, and that the inspector's blocked visit "was the result of confusion between the inspector and McDonald's protocol."
Here's are some of the critical violations the inspector observed (full list of violations here):
- Grease accumulating under the cooking equipment
- Food and standing water on the floor
- Toxic item near the utensils
- 25-30 dead roaches under the front service counter
- 5 live roaches near the kitchen sink
- Ceiling soiled with accumulated food debris
Watch WTSP's story below:
[Via Eater]
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