Australia’s well-known restaurant chain recently experienced a food safety scare when a customer found a “button battery” in their takeaway meal and quickly called the poison control hotline out of fear.
This incident happened at a famous chain restaurant in the city of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia.
Local resident Stephanie Weston, 36, was eating a beef burrito bowl when she suddenly discovered a severely corroded button battery mixed in with her food. She and her partner immediately contacted the Australian Poisons Information Hotline, where they were advised to seek medical attention if the battery’s origin could not be confirmed.
"The battery was badly corroded, and we were very worried that toxic substances had leaked," Weston told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It is reported that ingestion of a button battery may result in chemical burns or even be life-threatening.
After her partner returned to the restaurant, the assistant manager admitted the battery had come from a food-grade thermometer but did not show the relevant equipment or explain if other batteries were missing, only offering a refund and two burrito vouchers as compensation.
"The restaurant neither took our personal information nor advised us to seek medical attention," Weston added.
A spokesperson from the restaurant’s head office confirmed they had contacted the individuals involved, emphasizing that “food safety is the top priority,” and that a full investigation had been launched immediately. The company stated it had implemented three emergency measures: a full replacement of all similar thermometers, strengthened staff training, and implemented extra equipment inspection procedures.
However, since this was deemed an “isolated incident,” the company did not issue a customer alert.
Dr. Ruth Barker, director of the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit, noted that button batteries are generally “stacked” together, raising questions about the whereabouts of the other batteries in the thermometer. She urged the public to immediately contact the poison hotline if a battery is found in food.
She especially reminded parents that young children who swallow a battery may show no obvious symptoms, but if they refuse to eat, vomit, drool, or experience chest or abdominal pain, they should seek immediate medical attention.