Brisbane man Craig Freeman chokes on large plastic shard in Victoria Point McDonald’s burger

A Brisbane father has suffered major health problems are choking on a McDonald’s quarter pounder burger filled with a sharp piece of plastic that cut his insides.

Man chokes on large plastic shard in McDonald’s burger

A Brisbane father has shared his harrowing experience after choking on a McDonald’s burger filled with a sharp piece of plastic, that cut his insides and caused ongoing health problems.

Craig Freeman from Brisbane’s bayside is yet to hear back from the global restaurant chain after biting into and swallowing a large piece of hard plastic hidden in a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger.

Mr Freeman, 50, said has suffered a lesion caused by the plastic he ingested, as well as inflammation to his stomach, external bleeding and constant vomiting.

Mr Freeman purchased the burger on December 8, 2024 from McDonald’s at Victoria Point.

“Eating a takeaway is a rarity for my wife and I, but I was sneaky and thought I’d get a snack one afternoon,” Mr Freeman said.

“I sent her a cheeky photo rubbing it in before I ate it and instantly couldn’t breathe.

“I was struggling. I was hitting the back of my head trying to dislodge what was stuck in my throat.

“I ended up having to stick my fingers so far down my throat to throw up.”

The plastic shard Mr Freeman regurgitated.

Once Mr Freeman regurgitate his food he discovered a piece of hard, sharp plastic.

“I was in shock but let it go until the next morning when I started feeling intense pain,” Mr Freeman said.

Mr Freeman visited his doctor the next day and a CAT scan the following week revealed a “foreign object” in his colon.

“They found an object in the scan that resembled the shard of plastic I had swallowed and I had severe inflammation in my lower abdomen,” Mr Freeman said.

“I was given anti nausea medication and have been advised by my doctor to take Gaviscon each morning for six months to stop me constantly throwing up,” he said.

Mr Freeman’s Abdominal X-ray showed a possible cylindrical foreign body projected over the left side of his abdomen, with diameter of approximately 27mm in length of at least 10 cm, and pathology test confirming he drew blood from his rear end.

“This correlates with the type of foreign body ingested,” his doctor said.

Mr Freeman said his last correspondence from McDonald’s was on February 5, 2025, when he was told that McDonald’s was closing their investigations.

“I was told that the store would contact me but I’m yet to hear and they’ve now had more than enough time,” Mr Freeman said.

“I have spent thousands of dollars on scans and specialist appointments all from taking a bite of the burger.

Craig Freeman has suffered a lesion to inside his abdomen, external bleeding and constant vomiting.

“It’s really dangerous and I encourage people to look at what they’re eating,” he said.

A McDonald’s spokesman said the company takes food safety very seriously and follows strict processes and procedures to ensure quality.

“McDonald’s Victoria Point received a complaint regarding a foreign object in a burger on 9 December 2024,” a spokesman said.

“We treat complaints of this nature very seriously and immediately undertook a thorough investigation both internally and with local council.

“Following a Council visit, no further action was required. We will follow up with the restaurant on reinforcing and retraining our people on our food safety protocols.

“We strongly encourage the customer to contact us directly, so we can continue our investigation.”

Another unrelated incident at KFC Victoria Point last week showed resemblance to Mr Freeman’s experience.

Thornlands resident Wayne Jack discovered a pointed shard of plastic in his burger on Tuesday last week.

“I noticed the plastic after a few bites and it has really put me off KFC,” Mr Jack said.

Plastic shard found in KFC burger from the Victoria Point franchise last week.

“I went in and told the store and I got an apology from the manager but I think they should have done more than a refund.

“My reaction was that I was very p**sed off.

“The store couldn’t recognise the plastic,” he said.

KFC were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Brisbane man Craig Freeman chokes on large plastic shard in Victoria Point McDonald’s burger