Unnerving images of what resembles a fried rodent head have left consumers at the Manhattan Popeyes franchise up in arms. Rosemary Thomas posted the images online alleging that she discovered the rodent's head in a meal she ordered from the restaurant.
The incident occurred at a Popeyes franchise located in Harlem, the Daily Mail reported. Thomas posted the images online, claiming she was at the restaurant at the time with her daughter, niece, and sister. She added in the Facebook post that the Department of Health had given the outlet a five rating for hygiene and safety.
Thomas told media that her daughter was "traumatized" by the experience and had been vomiting and experiencing diarrhea throughout the day. She claimed that she had sent the photographs to news outlets in a bid to warn other consumers from going to the Popeyes outlet in Manhattan.
The franchise outlet in New York was last inspected in April of this year, according to the health website of the York City Department. In 2014, health officials reported the evidence of mice in the outlet's food and non-food areas.
Following the news that a rodent's head was found in food ordered at the outlet, health inspectors have dispatched a team of investigators to the restaurant. Authorities have warned consumers the outlet is not vermin proof and has the likelihood of attracting vermin.
A spokeswoman for Popeyes, Renee Kopowski told DNA Info that the head office of the franchise contacted the Harlem franchise owner about the incident. She said Thomas was asked to return the meal to the restaurant so that it could be tested by authorities.
Kopowski said it is common for customers to find unusual items in chicken meals which usually turn out to be "chicken organs." More than 300 complaints have reportedly been received by the New York City Health Department over the incident.
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