Chick-fil-A Food Poisoning
Chick-fil-A is a well-loved fast-food chain commonly associated with quality food. However, just like food served at any other restaurant, Chick-fil-A products can cause foodborne illness if stored or prepared unsafely.
Recent food poisoning cases linked to Chick-fil-A have largely been connected to the restaurant’s famous fried chicken. Cases where Chick-fil-A chicken has been contaminated have caused victims to suffer symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Some serious cases have resulted in dangerous health consequences, including severe salmonella, leading to hallucinations, lengthy hospitalization, and anaphylactic shock resulting from allergen cross-contamination.
It’s always important to consider the risk of food poisoning when going out to eat. If you become sick after eating at Chick-fil-A, contact Keep Food Safe to learn more about filing a food poisoning lawsuit to secure compensation.
Can Chick-fil-A Cause Food Poisoning?
Like any other place where food is prepared, Chick-fil-A can cause food poisoning. Although Chick-fil-A claims its kitchens are operated according to rigorous standards, no kitchen is ever completely safe from contaminants or guaranteed to be free of unsafe food practices. Problems can also arise from third-party ingredient suppliers, meaning a restaurant might prepare chicken in a clean kitchen and still serve unsafe food.
Is Food Poisoning From Chick-fil-A Common?
Thankfully, food poisoning from Chick-fil-A is relatively uncommon. Few cases of food poisoning have been linked to the restaurant in recent years, and even fewer have resulted in consumers taking legal action against the company. However, these food poisoning cases are often severe, resulting in dangerous gastrointestinal infections and other serious symptoms.
It’s important to be aware of the risk of foodborne illness when eating out, and Chick-fil-A is no exception. If your chicken has an odd taste, color, texture, or smell, stop eating immediately and dispose of the suspicious food.
Foodborne Illnesses Linked to Chick-fil-A
Most foodborne illnesses linked to Chick-fil-A have been cases of gastrointestinal illness associated with its chicken. They are mostly caused by viral or bacterial contamination. Some of the most common bacterial causes of food poisoning are:
- Campylobacter – Campylobacter is a dangerous bacteria that leads to campylobacteriosis, one of the most common types of foodborne illness in the United States. Campylobacteriosis causes vomiting, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms. Severe cases can be fatal.
- Salmonella – Salmonella is a dangerous bacteria that frequently causes vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches. In severe cases, salmonella can also be fatal. It can also lead to bacteremia (bloodstream infection) and osteomyelitis (bone infection). Chick-fil-A was linked to a severe infection in 2022.
- E. coli – E. coli is a common foodborne bacteria that frequently results in diarrhea or bloody stool, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and fever. It's frequently found in undercooked meat and raw vegetables.
Recent Food Poisoning Incidents at Chick-fil-A
Food poisoning caused by Chick-fil-A has given rise to a few lawsuits over the restaurant’s nearly 60 years in business. In 2023, Shi’terra Sharp filed a lawsuit after consuming a Chick-fil-A nugget that was “black in color,” according to court documents. She suffered a severe case of food poisoning that caused her to vomit so excessively that she sustained gastrointestinal damage and lost significant weight. She is seeking $50,000 in damages.
In 2020, Chace Queipo, age 8, suffered a severe salmonella infection after eating Chick-fil-A chicken. Chace recovered, but it took four months for him to return to full health after severe fever, hallucinations, and an extended hospital stay.
In 2023, Francine Powers sued Chick-fil-A over an incident in which her teenage son, J.P., went into anaphylactic shock after eating Chick-fil-A due to an undisclosed dairy cross-contamination. J.P., who is severely allergic to dairy, collapsed to the ground and began foaming at the mouth after eating Chick-fil-A’s grilled nuggets. His mother had been explicitly told by an employee that it did not contain dairy.
Possible Causes of Food Poisoning at Chick-fil-A
There are many ways that food poisoning can occur at a restaurant. Common unsafe food practices resulting in food poisoning include:
- Cross-contamination or other improper food handling.
- Undercooked chicken.
- Contaminated ingredients, such as lettuce, tomatoes, and sauces.
- Food left out at unsafe temperatures.
Safety Tips When Eating at Fast-Food Restaurants
You can do a few things as a consumer to reduce your risk of food poisoning when eating at fast food restaurants. First, always verify the temperature and freshness of food before eating. Exercise particular caution with high-risk foods like raw vegetables and undercooked meats.
Restaurant hygiene ratings should be posted so customers can easily see them. When going out to eat, check these ratings before ordering. You should also visually evaluate the restaurant’s cleanliness. Even if a restaurant’s hygiene rating is high, if you see dirt or other indicators of poor cleanliness, consider eating elsewhere.
Finally, sanitize or avoid using shared utensils. Fast-food restaurants typically offer plastic-wrapped single-serve utensils, which can be safer.
Safety When Eating Takeout Foods
You can also take steps to look out for your safety while eating takeout food outside of a restaurant. Before eating, inspect all packaging to make sure it has not been compromised. Your food should be securely enclosed, not exposed to the elements.
Always keep food at the temperature it is meant to be served. To mitigate the risk of bacterial growth, hot food should stay hot, and cold food should stay cold. Consume your Chick-fil-A within two hours of purchase, as chicken kept room temperature for more than two hours becomes unsafe.
When in doubt, throw it out. Never take risks with your safety when it comes to foodborne illness. If your food looks suspicious, throw it away immediately.
What To Do if You Suspect Food Poisoning From Chick-fil-A
If you suspect that your food may be contaminated or begin to feel ill while eating Chick-fil-A, stop eating the suspicious food immediately. If the food is visibly contaminated, discolored, or undercooked, take pictures for reporting purposes. Seek medical attention if your symptoms become severe.
Reporting an Incident of Food Poisoning
When reporting food poisoning, take these steps to protect your claim:
Document Your Symptoms
Write down the time you ate, your symptoms, and when they began. Keep a careful record of how you feel as time passes, and watch out for significant changes. If you visit a doctor or medical professional, keep records from that visit.
Save Receipts and Packaging
This kind of documentation provides proof of purchase and may identify the specific food that caused your illness. Taking photos of the contaminated food can also be helpful.
Contact Chick-fil-A Directly
Chick-fil-A has internal processes for handling reports of food poisoning. Contact the company using their online form to let it know what happened to you and the location of the restaurant where it occurred.
Report the Issue to Your Local Health Department
Foodborne illness is a public health issue, and getting sick after eating at a restaurant could indicate serious problems in the kitchen. Reporting food poisoning incidents to your local health department could prevent others from getting sick.
Seeking Compensation From Chick-fil-A
You may be entitled to significant legal compensation if Chick-fil-A caused you to suffer foodborne illness. However, suing a restaurant for food poisoning can be difficult. Contact us to learn more about your rights and potential legal options.
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