Ronald McDonald has been caught in a political circus — and he may get mauled by a Russian bear.
A Russian agency has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s that could ban the fast-food chain’s burgers, shakes, salads and sandwiches across the country as the conflict in Ukraine escalates.
Consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor accused McDonald’s of deceiving customers about the nutritional value of its fare, and said Caesar wrap sandwiches and a vegetable salad were contaminated with coliform bacteria.
“We have identified violations which put the product quality and safety of the entire McDonald’s chain in doubt,” said Anna Popova, Russia’s chief sanitary inspector, according to news agency Interfax.
The agency cited in its lawsuit a “routine checkup” of two McDonald’s locations in the Russian city of Novgorod that were conducted in May.
American critics, however, say the agency has previously been used as a political cudgel by Russian boss Vladimir Putin, for example, banning Georgian wines as Tbilisi strengthened ties with Washington.
McDonald’s, which operates more than 400 burger joints in Russia, said Friday it hadn’t yet been contacted by the Russian agency. Earlier this week, the chain said business in Russia recently has been soft amid political turmoil there.
“One of the main priorities for McDonald’s in Russia is the quality and safety of the products that we provide to our customers,” McDonald’s spokeswoman Nina Prosolova said.
In April, McDonald’s was forced to close locations in Crimea after Russia annexed the province following the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, triggering sanctions from the US and Europe.