Canvey McDonald's customer finds dead caterpillar in her salad

Claire Verlander, 34, from Canvey, ordered her meal via Uber Eats and began to tuck in before discovering the bug yesterday.

She immediately marched into the store to complain, before being offered a £10 “goodwill” voucher by customer services.

Ms Verlander said: “I thought it was a maggot at first and then I took a closer look, I was absolutely disgusted to find a dead caterpillar in my food.

“I had no problem bringing this insect into the Canvey store for further inspection.

“The manager at the McDonald’s did all she could to help, she offered me more food for free but that’s the last thing I wanted after what happened.”

A manager in the McDonald’s restaurant on Canvey told Ms Verlander that all salads come pre-packed and she was unsure how the bug got in there.

Ms Verlander added, “I then took it to customer services but didn’t get much luck with them.

“I don’t think the £10 voucher is enough compensation and they pretty much accused me of being a liar.

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“I’m still very traumatised, I just don’t want this to happen to anyone else.

“Some people are seriously allergic to caterpillars.

“I won’t be going back in a hurry.”

A McDonald’s spokesman said: “We are sorry to hear about this customer’s experience.

“Food safety and quality is of the utmost importance to us. We place great emphasis on quality control and follow rigorous standards in order to avoid any imperfections.

“As soon as the issue was brought to the manager’s attention, we reported the matter to the relevant supplier and the customer was offered a replacement meal.

“UberEATS refunded the full cost and our Customer Services team is also in contact with the customer.”

In an email, seen by the Echo, McDonald’s bosses insisted staff go to “great lengths to ensure each and every product meets our high standards”.

The email added: “I am very sorry that we have not been able to resolve this matter to Claire’s satisfaction.

“We do feel that the meal voucher sent is an appropriate gesture in this instance.”