Boy’s Tongue Burned From McDonald’s Milkshake (Photo)

A couple demanded answers after their son’s tongue was burned after he drank a McDonald’s milkshake.

Jon Hansen said he fought with McDonald’s for nearly a year to get the fast food company to release a report that revealed it added a compound to its chocolate milkshake. 

The father’s fight began after he went to a local McDonald’s restaurant in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, with his 5-year-old son. The family went through the drive-thru and ordered fries and milkshakes. They were allegedly mocked for not speaking French in the Quebec, where French is the main language.

When they got their order, Hansen said the fries looked “stomped on” and the milkshake “tasted funny.”

“He said it was pepperminty. He didn’t mean it was sweet like peppermint, he meant it burned his mouth,” Hansen said of his son’s first sip of the drink. “I took a sip of it and my tongue felt like it was on fire and it actually burned that night until 11 o’clock.”

Hansen then went inside the restaurant and confronted the manager, Toronto Metro reported. He talked to the manager, who refused to taste the shake Hansen had been served. Hansen was given another shake, which tasted normal. 

The boy was rushed to the hospital and poison control was called, but doctors simply advised Hansen to monitor his son because he had only minor side effects.

Since the incident, Hansen said his son no longer likes chocolate and didn’t gain any weight in a year. 

“Enough is enough. We want to know the truth, it’s as simple as that,” the father said. “The next time it happens, maybe a child dies.”

Tests conducted on the boy revealed a “small amount of store-related compound in the milkshake.” Hansen said his family was ultimately offered settlements of $1,000, $3,000 and $50,000. 

McDonald’s Canada spokesman Jason Patuano released a statement about the test results:

Unfortunately, the lab was unable to determine the source however was able to confirm that there were no cleaning solutions contained in the child’s milk shake as was originally alleged. We also confirmed that a total of 63 milk shakes were sold in the restaurant that day without any other complaints being reported.

Many readers called for the restaurant to be held accountable for the incident. 

“They should also sue individually the manager, and each of the workers; as well as, McDonald’s until they tell what was in the drink!!” one Mad World News reader commented on the site’s Facebook page. “They may have to file for warrants for their arrest on the grounds of attempted murder !! That might get the results they want/need!! Also, I agree, NEVER EVER give/hand back the drink or food in question!! That is your evidence and it can be tested for what might be in it.”

“Hope they find out what was used & how much was used as could affect the rest of his life-hope McDonalds has to pay all of his medical bills plus for lingering effects,” another wrote.

“Should this happen to anyone, do not, ever, ever ask for a replacement, or have the offending company to do the testing, etc.” another added. “If this couple had independent testing made and found the cause, they could have sued McDonald for millions. The couple had the company dead to right and should never have settled out of court.”

Sources: Toronto Metro, Mad World News/Facebook / Photo credit: Todd Van Hoosear/Wikimedia Commons, Toronto Metro, Britneykoda/Wikimedia Commons