A Burger King assistant manager was accused of serving customers fries that had been dumped in the trash

• A Burger King worker has been charged with malicious tampering with human food, per Fox Carolina.
• Citing police statements, the outlet said freshly cooked fries were placed on top of dirty ones.
• A representative for Burger King told Insider the employee had been terminated.

An assistant manager at a South Carolina Burger King was arrested after being accused of serving customers fries that had been dumped in the trash.

Citing police statements, Fox Carolina reported that the worker took fries from the trash and moved them to a container where freshly cooked fries were placed on top.

A representative for Burger King told Insider the employee had been terminated and the franchisee was cooperating with local authorities.

“These allegations do not align to the brand’s commitment to quality food and service and creating an exceptional Guest experience,” the company said in a statement, “because this remains an ongoing investigation, we are unable to share additional details at this time.”

The assistant manager was arrested and charged with malicious tampering with human food, per Fox Carolina. A judge set the worker’s bond at $20,000, The State reported, citing court records.

Representatives for the Union Police Department did not respond to Insider’s request for comment.

Officers were initially called to the branch on July 9 after a disturbance was reported, which involved two women arguing with Burger King staff, the Union Police Department told the outlet. The pair were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, per police statements.

Fox Carolina reported that Burger King’s headquarters called the department two days later to report accusations about the dumped fries being served to customers.

This is not the first time a Burger King restaurant has faced issues over food hygiene.

In October, an undercover investigation found that some branches in Germany were serving out-of-date products, had mouse infestations, and cooked vegan patties in the same oil as chicken. Some restaurants were shut down after the TV investigation. 

Burger King Deutschland issued a lengthy statement at the time saying the company took the accusations “very seriously” and didn’t tolerate the violation of its standards, according to an Insider translation.