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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask would you complain / cross contamination of food?

36 replies

thoughtsonname · 31/08/2024 20:33

Went for a meal earlier with DH.

I am vegan and haven’t eaten meat in 17 years. I had ordered a veggie chickpea and spinach burger at a popular chain. I lifted the burger bun lid before taking a bite (not sure why tbh) and lucky I did because there was a piece of chicken sitting on top of it.

I discreetly told the manager who swapped it for a new one. Didn’t apologise though and the new one came back without any of the toppings I’d originally ordered so was really bland. I couldn’t be bothered to send it back a second time and DH had already eaten all of his meal (he eats meat).

I’m in two minds about complaining as the place predominantly serves meat, but does promise to cook on a separate part of a grill. I wouldn’t even mind if it shared the same cooking space, I just don’t want an actual bit of chicken in my meal and it would’ve really
upset me if I had eaten it. It also ruined the dining experience because we ate at totally separate times, defeats the point of going out really.

WWYD?

YABU - leave it, they swapped it for a new one

YANBU - complain, it isn’t good enough and they should be more stringent

OP posts:
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TwitchyJerk · 31/08/2024 23:51

Also veggie!

Once at mc ds, when I was there for work (support worker) I actually Bit into a chicken wrap they had given me accidentally... I am the sort to complain, but couldn't cos I was being professional!

Another time, a £100 Thai take away order which was all veggie, we'd specifically removed the prawn crackers from the order cos of most of us being veggie... I found a prawn on my plate, after having eaten quite a bit 🤮... after a large complaint, the restaurant offered us a free take away next time! .... er, no we won't be ordering again!

pinkroses79 · 31/08/2024 23:40

I don't eat meat and I would have been upset. It has happened to me before and I complained. Nothing much happened that I can remember but I think it is important to state how you feel about it and how unacceptable it is that it happened.

6ksn · 31/08/2024 23:17

I’d probably just not go back.

eish · 31/08/2024 23:16

I would say you need to raise it. Whilst eating meat would have horrified you, it would not have killed you (I say this as a veggie so not trying to undermine how awful it would be). However, if they are being that lax the next person could have a serious health risk.

letmego24 · 31/08/2024 23:03

Meat

letmego24 · 31/08/2024 23:03

I wouldn't class that as cross contamination- they served you best. Cross contamination is when you have vegan food but it may have touched non vegan food or has been prepared on a tray/ in oil which has had non vegan food in ut.

letmego24 · 31/08/2024 23:00

I'm vegan. I wouldn't complain again - you already have. But it sounds poor you didn't get toppings but you should have asked for them.
I think in eating out there's always an element of trust but if they are not switched on I wouldn't eat there again.

Dotto · 31/08/2024 22:55

I've heard kitchen staff I used to work with (different dept) say they hated vegans and would deliberately contaminate their food. I'm not sure how a mistake like this happens!

Cwassonk · 31/08/2024 22:37

I was prepared to say you're overreacting but actually you're not. Serving a vegan a bit of chicken which is hidden in a bun is well out of order.

TheClawDecides · 31/08/2024 22:25

BarbaraHoward · 31/08/2024 22:23

🤣🤣🤣 Clearly my autocorrect has had a tough day.

Show quote history

On the other hand if the child was vegan...

😁

BarbaraHoward · 31/08/2024 22:23

TheClawDecides · 31/08/2024 22:18

If they're grilling children, the OP should definitely complain! 🤭

Show quote history

🤣🤣🤣 Clearly my autocorrect has had a tough day.

TheClawDecides · 31/08/2024 22:18

BarbaraHoward · 31/08/2024 21:06

Do you mean someone had stuck a chicken goujon in your burger, or there was a flake of children from the grill?

Assuming it's the second, I wouldn't complain, no. I wouldn't expect a restaurant to be avoiding cross contamination for a dietary preference rather than an allergy. Those processes should be for those who need them.

If they're grilling children, the OP should definitely complain! 🤭

Original poster
thoughtsonname · 31/08/2024 21:12

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 31/08/2024 21:07

You should have complained at the time, though totally understand why you didn’t. Easier said than done when you are with others who have eaten, you are hungry etc.
Sounds like you for the wrong order, I always have issues as DH eats meat, I’m vegan, people seem to think vegetarian is the same.

I would send an email as you didn’t get what you paid for, not to kick up a fuss but for awareness. You could’ve have had an allergy and they need to take this seriously- it may not be chicken next time it could be something that causes someone serious health issues.

Thank you, good advice

OP posts:
Original poster
thoughtsonname · 31/08/2024 21:11

StormingNorman · 31/08/2024 21:10

The burger is the least of your problems. You need to learn to speak up for yourself and take up some space in the world.

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You’re probably right. I would in other contexts just didn’t here because I was hungry and the restaurant was busy.

OP posts:
StormingNorman · 31/08/2024 21:10

thoughtsonname · 31/08/2024 20:46

I ate half of it. At the time I was just surprised and didn’t want to make a fuss and kick off. I was actually only halfway through the new burger when I realised the missing toppings, because I was so wrapped up in trying to eat as quickly as possible given DH had had his food and there were literally people standing around us waiting for a table

Show quote history

The burger is the least of your problems. You need to learn to speak up for yourself and take up some space in the world.

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 31/08/2024 21:07

You should have complained at the time, though totally understand why you didn’t. Easier said than done when you are with others who have eaten, you are hungry etc.
Sounds like you for the wrong order, I always have issues as DH eats meat, I’m vegan, people seem to think vegetarian is the same.

I would send an email as you didn’t get what you paid for, not to kick up a fuss but for awareness. You could’ve have had an allergy and they need to take this seriously- it may not be chicken next time it could be something that causes someone serious health issues.

Original poster
thoughtsonname · 31/08/2024 21:07

MrsMitford3 · 31/08/2024 20:41

YANBU.
It was "just a bit of chicken" this time but it is a serious issue.

Cross contamination can be life threatening-my DD had anaphylactic shock after eating an ice cream cone-the scoop had not been properly rinsed and we were on holiday in a non English speaking country.

Utterly terrifying.

That’s terrible she went through that.

OP posts:
Original poster
thoughtsonname · 31/08/2024 21:06

BarbaraHoward · 31/08/2024 21:06

Do you mean someone had stuck a chicken goujon in your burger, or there was a flake of children from the grill?

Assuming it's the second, I wouldn't complain, no. I wouldn't expect a restaurant to be avoiding cross contamination for a dietary preference rather than an allergy. Those processes should be for those who need them.

There was a piece of chicken, probably about 5cm long

OP posts:
Original poster
thoughtsonname · 31/08/2024 21:06

hockityponktas · 31/08/2024 20:45

Yeah I would email head office. Cross contamination is serious if you have allergies.
im not veggie, but I ordered a halloumi panini recently and my husband had a steak one. They had clearly cut his first and then used the same knife to cut mine- a bit of steak and blood on my panini! I didn’t mind at all, however a veggie wouldn’t have been able to eat it.

That’s bad!

OP posts:
BarbaraHoward · 31/08/2024 21:06

Do you mean someone had stuck a chicken goujon in your burger, or there was a flake of children from the grill?

Assuming it's the second, I wouldn't complain, no. I wouldn't expect a restaurant to be avoiding cross contamination for a dietary preference rather than an allergy. Those processes should be for those who need them.

Original poster
thoughtsonname · 31/08/2024 21:02

MeAgainAndAgain · 31/08/2024 20:51

Didn’t a boy die because someone threw some cheese at him? Allergies are really serious. Definitely email the head office.

I think so. I dunno if a chicken allergy is a thing but I suppose the ‘what’ isn’t the point

OP posts:
ThatsNotMyDuck · 31/08/2024 20:52

I really don’t think they will give you a refund as you ate the food. But I would email them.

Although if it’s anything like McDonald’s they don’t give a shit.

MeAgainAndAgain · 31/08/2024 20:51

Didn’t a boy die because someone threw some cheese at him? Allergies are really serious. Definitely email the head office.

TheClawDecides · 31/08/2024 20:49

I think I'd be more interested in making sure no-one with an allergy dies, than bothering about a refund.

Hence the reason I'd email head office.

Fortesque · 31/08/2024 20:47

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