Stomach-churning images have emerged of a cockroach thrashing around on French fries about to be served to customers at a McDonald’s in New South Wales.
Video from inside the fast food outlet in Broadmeadow, Newcastle, showed the distressed insect trying to escape from under the heat lamp and salty crisps.
That and other images, obtained by newy.com.aualso revealed an “infestation” of insects throughout the McDonald’s location.
Cockroaches were caught on top of bins, dead on tiles and behind chairs in the seating area, while dozens of maggots were spotted around a dustpan.
One customer was so upset that he threw away his food after being shown the images.
“I couldn’t be screwed coming back in, I’m already late and that video ruined my dinner,” the customer said.
Several social media users also expressed concern about the cleanliness of the place after the video was posted on Facebook.
“I won’t go there to buy food anymore,” one wrote.
McDonald’s customers were shocked after images emerged of a cockroach squirming around overcooked, salty fries at a store in Broadmeadow, Newcastle (pictured).
A second said there would be no bugs in the store if “pest services are done correctly and cleaning is done correctly.”
“OMG this is disgusting,” wrote a third.
“Wow, definitely not going to any Maccas now, stuff like that,” wrote a fourth.
Others were petrified after eating there in recent days.
“WTF the kids ate there last night,” wrote a fifth.
McDonald’s issued a statement shortly after expressing its “disappointment” with the cleanliness of the site.
“This clearly does not meet McDonald’s strict food safety, quality and hygiene standards,” a spokesperson said.
‘We have taken immediate action at McDonald’s Broadmeadow, including a thorough professional pest inspection and the installation of additional pest control measures.
“We will continue to work closely with the restaurant to ensure our customers can rely on our commitment to food safety, quality and a great customer experience.”
McDonald’s Australia said it was “disappointed” by the images and is working with management to fix cleaning standards at the Broadmeadows location (pictured).
It comes just months after a McDonald’s worker was caught on camera drying a mop under a French fry warmer.
The employee was filmed holding what appears to be a detachable microfiber mop under a heat lamp, just inches from a box of fresh fries at a McDonald’s in Booval, a suburb of the city of Ipswich, 30 kilometers north. southwest of Brisbane.
Daily Mail Australia understands management has spoken to the staff member but he will keep his job.
A video of the incident, which was first posted on the Subtle Bogan Hints Facebook page, quickly went viral online with many users making light of the situation.
‘So that’s where the flavor comes from…’ one joked.
Another said, “I bet the mop head is hotter than French fries.”
Old McMop is back! “Must be for a limited time – get in while they’re hot,” another joked.
A McDonald’s spokesperson said the company takes food safety “very seriously” and follows strict cleaning and hygiene procedures at all restaurants.
“We have addressed this directly with the restaurant and have conducted extensive training for all employees on McDonald’s food safety, sanitation and sanitation procedures,” they said.
“This was an isolated incident and we will continue to work with the restaurant to ensure this does not happen again.”