Ratburger
1. Before you read, make sure you know the meaning of the following words:
lawsuit (n)
claim (vb/n)
scrutiny(n)
sever(vb)
outlet(n)
blitz(n/vb)
sue (vb)
whiskers(npl)
rodent (n)
allege(vb)
ordeal(n)
2. As you read, answer the following questions:
1. Why are the Jama family suing MacDonald's?
2. What arguments is the family's lawyer using to give weight to their case?
3. Why were health inspections stepped up in Toronto Canada recently and what
happened as a result?
4. What conclusion did the judge reach in the case against McDonald's Corp.?
5. On what grounds is the Toronto restaurant's assistant manager being sued?
McDonald's Canada Lawsuit Claims Rat Head in Burger
By Cameron French
TORONTO (Reuters) - McDonald's Canada is being sued by a Toronto family that claims a severed
rat's head was found nestled between the toppings of a Big Mac that was about to be eaten by a
nine-year-old girl.
The C$17.5 million ($11.2 million) lawsuit against McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Ltd., a wholly
owned unit of McDonald's Corp., came about after an incident the family alleges took place in June
1999 at a Toronto outlet of the hamburger chain.
After biting into the Big Mac, Ayan Abdi Jama noticed the remains of the rodent, "complete with
eyes, teeth, nose and whiskers," says the statement of claim. It adds, "the rat and the Big Mac
sandwich were partially ingested by Ayan."
The lawyer for the family said the ordeal has been a horrible experience for the child.
"Obviously, it's going to impact how they see restaurant food for the rest of their lives," said Ted
Charney. "From a parent's point of view, how would you feel if you watched your child take a bite
out of a rat's head?"
The experience left Jama suffering from "extensive psychiatric damages," the claim says.
In a statement, McDonald's Canada said: "The quality and safety of our food is paramount to every
aspect of our McDonald's operation. McDonald's will defend itself to the fullest extent of the law."
When contacted by Reuters, the branch manager had no comment, but mentioned the restaurant
had passed health inspections.
Toronto restaurant sanitation has been under close scrutiny in recent months, as health officials
have implemented a restaurant grading system aimed at improving public perceptions of food
preparation. The system was introduced after a 16-week inspection blitz last year that resulted in 60
restaurant closings, many for various rodent infractions.
The allegations have not been proved in court, and on Monday a judge dismissed the claim against
senior company officers and McDonald's Corp., parent company of McDonald's Canada. Left to be
decided are claims against McDonald's Restaurants of Canada and the restaurant's assistant manager,
who, the claim says, tried to confiscate the burger upon discovery of the rat's head.
McDonald's Canada estimates it serves more than three million customers each day.
Reuters March 27th 2001
3. What do you think? Is this story true and, if so, how did the rat get into the burger? Do
the family have a case? To what extent are parent companies responsible for incidents like
this? Who do you think is to blame? Send your opinions to classroom 'Activities'