Introduction
It’s no secret that fast food restaurants can be a breeding ground for pests, but a recent incident at a McDonald’s in the UK has taken things to a whole new level. After a video of a rat infestation was caught on camera, the restaurant was forced to shut down. This article from Eat This Not That will provide an in-depth look at the incident, as well as what it means for the future of McDonald’s and other fast food restaurants.
McDonald’s Shuts Down After Rat Infestation Caught On Camera
McDonald’s has closed one of its locations after a rat infestation was caught on camera. The video, which was posted to social media, shows rats running around the restaurant and even climbing on the food. The video has since gone viral, with many people expressing their disgust.
The restaurant, located in the city of San Antonio, Texas, was closed by the local health department after the video was posted. The department said that the restaurant was in violation of several health codes, including the presence of rodents. The restaurant has since been cleaned and sanitized, and the health department has given it the all-clear to reopen.
This isn’t the first time that McDonald’s has had to close a location due to a rat infestation. In 2018, a restaurant in Chicago was closed after a rat was seen running around the dining area. The restaurant was later reopened after it was cleaned and sanitized.
It’s important to note that McDonald’s is not the only restaurant to have had a rat infestation. In fact, it’s a problem that is all too common in restaurants. The best way to prevent a rat infestation is to keep the restaurant clean and free of food debris. Additionally, restaurants should regularly inspect their premises for signs of rodents.
No one wants to eat at a restaurant that has a rat infestation, so it’s important for restaurants to take the necessary steps to prevent one. McDonald’s has taken the right steps by closing the restaurant and cleaning it thoroughly. Hopefully, this will be the last time a rat infestation is caught on camera.
What would you do if you saw a family of rats roaming your local McDonald’s? That’s what recently happened to a Naples, Fla. customer Keysha Vega when she drove up to the restaurant’s drive-thru just after midnight on Tuesday.
Her late-night ice cream stop led to a situation that stunned her social media followers, according to NBC 2. The video she shared on Instagram showed about five large rats freely roaming the restaurant’s floor, while employees were nowhere in sight.
The Crossroads Market McDonald’s was still open on Wednesday morning when Keysha stopped by but was closed by Thursday. A sign posted on the restaurant read “CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THANK YOU.”
This particular McDonald’s has maintained a clean record, incurring only minor violations such as hair net and improper food storage infringements in the past.
Mike Adams, the restaurant’s owner and operator, said his McDonald’s would close for deep cleaning. His statement reads:
“We are committed to providing our customers and crew members with a clean and safe dining and working experience. We were alerted to a concerning video circulating on social media and we take this situation seriously. Out of an abundance of caution, we are proactively closing this restaurant temporarily while we thoroughly deep clean and sanitize the restaurant and resolve this matter in coordination with our neighboring business within this building unit.”
The restaurant will undergo an inspection by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation before resuming business. Circle K, the other tenant occupying the building, will also close its doors for a thorough scrubbing. No date for re-opening has been released.
While this is a shocking story, unfortunately, incidences like this occur daily. Restaurants in the U.S. are inspected routinely by health department personnel within the local, county, and state regions. Many of these establishments pass, but some do not. Contact your local health department if you experience a health concern or possible violation at your local restaurant.
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