Local News
The employee was seen in a video stuffing french fries into her mouth before putting them into one of the chain’s fry containers.
A sign for a McDonald’s restaurant in Philadelphia, on June 6, 2025. Matt Rourke
The employee seen in a viral video contaminating food at a Southbridge McDonald’s will face criminal charges this week, Southbridge police said.
Southbridge Police Chief Shane Woodson confirmed that the department is filing charges Monday against the employee, who was seen on a video stuffing french fries into her mouth before putting them into one of the chain’s fry containers.
The date for arraignment in Dudley District Court has not yet been set, and Woodson did not say what charges the female employee, who was not named, will be facing. More information on the charges will be available after arraignment, Woodson said.
The brief video, which appeared to have been posted on a private story, made national headlines last week.
“So you want French fries today, right?” the woman says to the camera as she puts the fries from her mouth back in a box, presumably to serve to McDonald’s customers. Her coworkers laugh in the background.
Last week, the Spadea and Balducci families, who operate the Southbridge franchise, said in a statement that the people involved in the incident have parted ways with McDonald’s following an internal investigation.
The owners did not return an request for additional comment after the criminal charges were announced.
“The actions of these individuals are unacceptable and do not reflect our organization’s food safety standards or values,” the owners said, Boston.com reported last week. “We are proactively working with local authorities and the local health department, who have found no public health concerns or violations. The wellbeing and safety of our Southbridge community remains our top priority, and we will continue to take swift appropriate actions as needed.”
Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime, and more.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
