Man Files Lawsuit Against Olive Garden, Alleging Rat’s Foot in Soup
A Michigan man has taken legal action against popular restaurant chain Olive Garden, claiming that he found a rat’s foot in a bowl of minestrone soup he was served. Thomas Howie, a resident of Madison Heights, filed a complaint with the Macomb County 16th Judicial Circuit Court, accusing Olive Garden of negligence and failure to maintain a vermin-free environment. Howie is seeking damages of more than $25,000 for both physical injury and emotional distress caused by the incident.
According to the lawsuit, Howie visited an Olive Garden restaurant in Warren, just north of Detroit, on March 11, accompanied by two friends. He ordered a minestrone soup and breadsticks to start their meal. Howie claims that while eating the soup, he felt a sharp pain in his mouth. Upon investigation, he discovered a rat’s foot stuck in the right side of his cheek. Shocked and nauseated, he removed the foot from his mouth and wrapped it in a napkin. Later, when he examined it, he was horrified to find a hairy and clawed rodent’s leg.
The lawsuit further states that when Howie informed the restaurant’s management about the incident, they did not seem to take it seriously. Howie claims they denied the possibility of a rat’s foot being in the soup, stating that they do not use meat in their minestrone. Unconvinced by their response, Howie reported the incident to the Warren police, who arrived at the scene and took a report. He then sought medical treatment at an urgent care facility, where he was given medication and mouthwash to treat the cut inside his cheek and protect against infection.
Olive Garden’s parent company, Darden Restaurants, denies the merit of Howie’s claims. A spokesperson for the company stated that they have no reason to believe his allegations are valid. In their defense, Olive Garden argues that the photo of the rat’s foot provided by Howie does not show any signs that it underwent the cooking process or took on the red color present in their minestrone soup base.
To further counter the allegations, Olive Garden provided a copy of a Food Service Establishment Inspection Report conducted by the Macomb County Health Department. The report, completed two days after the incident based on Howie’s complaint, found no evidence of rodents at the restaurant. The report also listed the ingredients of Olive Garden’s minestrone soup, which include celery, cabbage, carrots, onions, garlic, spinach, zucchini, chopped tomatoes, beans, and noodles. Olive Garden states that their soups are cooked to a minimum temperature of 165°F.
Both Howie and his attorney have refused Olive Garden’s requests to provide the restaurant with the rat’s foot for forensic examination. However, Howie’s lawyer, Daniel A. Gwinn, maintains that the restaurant is at fault, emphasizing the seriousness of the incident and the potential threat it poses to public health.
This lawsuit raises concerns about food safety and the responsibility of restaurants to ensure the quality and cleanliness of their offerings. Olive Garden stands by their reputation and insists that they maintain rigorous standards when it comes to food preparation and hygiene. As the case proceeds, it will be interesting to see how the court evaluates the evidence presented by both parties.
