A picture posted on Facebook of a Taco Bell employee licking a stack of taco shells has Taco Bell investigating and everyone else grossing out.
Cathy Marx, the manager of the restaurant in Ridgecrest, Calif., told CNBC, “We’re currently dealing with it.” The restaurant has an A rating from the Kern County public health department.
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CNBC also reported a statement from a Taco Bell corporate spokesman: "
Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and team members, and we have strict food-handling procedures and zero tolerance for any violations. When we learned of the situation we immediately contacted this restaurant's leadership, and although we believe it is a prank and the food was not served to customers, we are conducting a full-scale investigation and will be taking swift action against those involved."
The photo was posted on Consumerist and to Taco Bell’s Facebook page. It was originally posted by an account registered to “Jj O’Brien Nolan.”
It’s unknown if the shells were to be served to consumers or were perhaps on their way to the trash.
Commenters at ABC News were baffled by the behavior and, rightfully, grossed out.
"
I will never eat at Taco Bell again. In fact, I may never eat fast food again where I can't see the food being made," said one commenter.
User Silver Fang said, "I can't figure out how anyone could be daft enough to take pictures and videos of themselves doing such things and publicizing them online. Online = forever."
Perhaps user AFCop summed it up best: "Eeeeeeeewwwwwwwww."
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