Texas woman says a McMuffin changed her life. Now she’s suing
A woman is suing McDonald’s over a Sausage Egg McMuffin that she says left her “severely ill” and permanently “unable to do her usual job,” according to a lawsuit filed in New York in May.
This is one of the latest legal troubles to hit McDonald’s, after a class-action lawsuit was filed against the burger giant in late December over allegations surrounding its McRib Sandwich.
Here’s what you need to know about the Sausage Egg McMuffin case.
People pass by and see the McDonald’s sign in Times Square on July 23, 2015 in New York City.
The lawsuit claimed that the food was ‘unfit for human consumption’
Yvette Hinds, who lives in Texas, claims to have eaten a Sausage Egg McMuffin at a McDonald’s in New York City’s Times Square in 2023: “not fit for human consumptionAccording to the complaint filed May 26 in New York Supreme Court.
The case was moved to the high court because, as the complaint stated, the damages Hinds suffered were so costly that they “exceeded the jurisdictional limits of all lower courts” that would otherwise hear the case.
‘Systemic poisoning’: Parents say popular baby foods cause ‘brain damage’ in children in new lawsuit
In her complaint, Hinds alleges that immediately after eating the food, she “became violently ill and nauseous, experiencing severe pain and distress all over her body” and that the symptoms were directly linked to the food.
The complaint covers a number of potential causes, including “harmful substances, contaminants, poisons, toxins, parasites, bacteria, microbes, and/or organisms.” He also claims staff knew or should have known the food was spoiled.
A McDonald’s sign is seen outside its store in Times Square, New York, on June 9, 2008.
In a statement shared with USA TODAY, McDonald’s owner and operator Paul Goodman said he “takes great pride in serving safe, high-quality food to every customer who walks through our doors” and that his team is “committed to maintaining strict food safety and handling practices in our restaurants every day.”
“We always take matters like this seriously and investigate thoroughly,” Goodman added. “We strongly dispute the facts alleged in this case, but this matter was resolved months ago to allow us to focus on our customers.”
Idea: I don’t care if the McRib is real pork ribs. This is AMERICA!
Permanent damage claim in the case
Hinds’ complaint alleges that the Sausage Egg McMuffin made him “dangerously sick and ill” and that his “entire body was infected and poisoned” from toxins in the breakfast meal.
Three years after eating it, Hinds continued to suffer “intense and severe pain throughout her entire body” despite undergoing “several surgeries, procedures, and treatments” in her search for treatment, the lawsuit states.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 4: A woman walks past the McDonald’s restaurant in Times Square after the firing of CEO Steve Easterbrook on November 4, 2019 in New York City. “This was a mistake,” Easterbrook said after engaging in a consensual relationship with an employee that violated company policy. (Photo: Kena Betancur/Getty Images)
Permanent damage to Hinds’ “physical, nervous and mental systems” has left her unable to perform regular duties at home and “unable to function as usual” since then, the lawsuit states. Meanwhile, it also suffered serious economic damage from health expenses.
All of this, according to the lawsuit, was the direct result of the “neglect and carelessness” of McDonald’s and its employees.
Hinds’ attorney did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for more information, including the exact nature of his illness and injuries.
McRib class action lawsuit
McDonald’s has also been busy this year responding to a class-action lawsuit alleging that its iconic McRib sandwich contains no rib meat but is made entirely from other cuts of pork, as USA TODAY previously reported.
“Despite its name and distinctive shape (its meaty patty was intentionally crafted to resemble a rack of pork ribs) the McRib does not contain actual pork rib meat whatsoever,” the attorneys wrote in the lawsuit filed in late December.
A McRib is seen at a McDonald’s restaurant in San Francisco, California, on November 3, 2010.
In a statement shared with USA TODAY in January, McDonald’s said the lawsuit “distorts the facts and many of the allegations are inaccurate.”
“We are committed to using real, quality ingredients throughout our menu,” McDonald’s USA said. “Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S. We have always been transparent about our ingredients so our guests can make the right choice for them.”
False advertising? Costco sued over $4.99 rotisserie chicken
Lawyers pressed for class members to receive damages, attorney fees and interest. They also asked the courts to order McDonald’s to “desist any further misleading naming, marketing and advertising practices related to the McRib.”
Credit: Saleen Martin, Mike Snider / USA TODAY
Drew Pittock covers national trending news for USA TODAY. He can be reached at DPittock@usatodayco.com.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: McDonald’s sued over ‘contaminated’ Sausage Egg McMuffin
