A Lethbridge Burger King has been ordered to clean up after an Alberta Health Services inspection found evidence of foreign workers living at the fast food establishment.
The inspection was done last Wednesday at the Burger King located at 1950 – 3 Ave. S.
The inspection order states sleeping/living accommodations for foreign workers were found in “another room.” This goes against the Public Health Act, which states “an operator must ensure that, before operation of the commercial food establishment commences, has all its food handling areas separated from living quarters and from other areas where activities are carried out that are incompatible with the safe and sanitary handling of food.” (Read the full report below).
An unidentified employee told Global News there was a room in the basement with mattresses, but no one was actually living there. It was described more as a staff room.
AHS ordered the owner of the Burger King to remove mattresses and “associated furnishings” from the building, as well as no longer allow people to live or sleep in the restaurant. That cleanup was to be done by Wednesday.
Global News was unable to get in touch with the local owner, but received the following statement from Burger King’s head office:
“We have spoken to the restaurant owner, who independently owns and operates this location, and he has confirmed that the accusations regarding accommodations are not true. We have also been advised that the Alberta Health Services has rescinded their notice. However, we will continue to ensure compliance with our high operational standards.”
AHS confirmed it has rescinded the notice, saying the original inspection found “evidence of living/sleeping accommodations,” and that as of Wednesday morning, “the work has been completed and the order has been rescinded.”
Global News asked AHS specifically about the mention of foreign workers in the original report, but it did not provide an answer to that question.
The inspection also found previous flooding in the basement of the Burger King had not been cleaned up or repaired. A storage room full of excess unused equipment was also found, which the inspection said could lead to the “harbouring or breeding of pests.”
On Thursday, Labour Minister Christina Gray said the incident is under investigation.
“Both Occupational Health and Safety and employment standards are investigating the allegations of sleeping/living accommodations for workers at this food establishment in Lethbridge. Alberta’s workplace laws apply equally to everyone, regardless of someone’s immigration status in Canada.”
READ MORE: Man claims he found a foreign object in fast food meal
This isn’t the first time the restaurant has come under fire. Back in 2014, a man claimed he found something that he described as a piece of tissue, or a hand towel, in his burger.
At the time, Burger King said AHS fully investigated the man’s claim and the restaurant was cleared of any wrongdoing.
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