Tainted Burgers Alleged At Rest Stop
Three teenagers are accused of serving hamburgers topped with spit, urine and cleaning solvents for months at a New York State Thruway Burger King, authorities said.
The suspects are employees at the Scottsville service area 12 miles southwest of Rochester. They include a 17-year-old girl, an 18-year-old male and Scott B. Savino, 19, officials said. Police refused to identify the two younger suspects because they said they are eligible for youthful offender status.
They are charged with felony tampering with a consumer product. Officials said they contaminated food over a period of eight months, ending in late April.
"To do it for such a long period of time - it's simply bizarre," Kristine Smith, spokeswoman for the New York State Department of Health, told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
The cleaning agents used were Easy-Off oven cleaner and Kote Soil Shield, both potently caustic, and Comet cleanser with bleach, a health official said.
Potential health effects might include burning or irritation of the delicate lining of the mouth, or in a worst case, severe burning of the stomach or esophagus.
It is not yet known how often the food tampering took place, or what amounts of chemicals were used on what foods.
No injuries or sicknesses have been reported in Monroe said John Ricci, spokesman for the Monroe County Department of Health.
Ricci added that the Burger King in question passed a health inspection on March 2.
The Thruway is the state's major superhighway and extends from New York City to Buffalo.
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