A McDonald’s employee in Massachusetts was fired after a viral video showed her placing french fries in her mouth before returning them to a customer’s container, prompting a police investigation and widespread outrage over food safety violations.
Video Shows Disturbing Food Contamination
The stomach-turning footage captured an employee at the East Main Street McDonald’s location in Southbridge asking the camera, “So you want french fries today, right?” She then placed fries in her mouth while a coworker laughed in the background before putting the contaminated food back into a customer’s box. The video, initially shared in a private message exchange, leaked online and quickly spread across social media platforms, triggering immediate backlash from the community.
Police Launch Investigation
The Southbridge Police Department confirmed receiving numerous calls, online tips, and media inquiries about the incident. Authorities are working to determine whether the contaminated food was actually served to customers and to identify anyone who may have been affected. The city’s Board of Health was also notified and launched its own review. In a public statement, police said they are treating the matter seriously and investigating all aspects of the alleged food contamination.
Restaurant Responds With Immediate Terminations
The Spadea and Balducci families, who own and operate the Southbridge McDonald’s franchise, announced the immediate termination of the employees involved. The owners emphasized that such behavior violates their organization’s food safety standards and core values. They confirmed cooperation with local authorities and stated that health department inspections found no public health concerns or violations at the location. The families stressed their commitment to community safety and wellbeing in their joint statement.
Community Reacts With Disgust
Local residents expressed shock and anger after viewing the footage. One customer named Jim told reporters the incident was disgusting and unsanitary, vowing to avoid the location and fast food restaurants generally for an extended period. Another community member called the behavior crazy, questioning why anyone would tamper with food intended for others. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about food safety protocols and employee conduct in fast-food establishments across the country, where similar viral videos have damaged consumer trust in recent years.
These employee’s should be spent to prison.
. . . while on fire.
NO that wasn’t serious enough or criminal enough to go to prison… But it was serious and definately a HEALTH hazard…Firing was absolutely necessary and she should be reported to the Health Department and the Employment office so they both have her name and age and info on record. I am sure she will have a hard time finding employment elsewhere …
This is on the exact same level as Typhoid Mary.
Jail time at the very least.
Make them eat contaminated food. Community service at animal shelter cleaning up animal feces – no gloves allowed.
Forever ban working at food establishments.
Fired. NO, they should be arrested and tried for attempted bio contamination warfare. Disgusting, I stopped going to McDonalds 15 years ago when we very luckily found rat poop on our Breakfast Sandwiches. They laughed it off. Never went back.
I worked in a bar-b-que restaurant for three years while in higschool, and so I’m aware of the things that can go on in a restaurant. That knowledge has stayed with me over the years, and so I pretty much avoid restaurants in general. in this instance at McDonalds, I can’t imagine why the shift manager was unaware of the girls antics, given the fact that McDonald kitchens/serving area tend to be fairly small.
She’ll just go get a,job at Wendys
Food tampering should be a felony.
This is bad, but, I have worked where the main person, who worked the ovens, cut and wrapped the food, would take his shoes and socks off rubbing his feet, never washing his hands. Took this concern to Management, as this behavior was caught on camera, I was the one that lost my job, not the person rubbing their feet!