Customer Files Lawsuit Against Chopt Over Contaminated Salad
A customer has filed a lawsuit against the fast casual chain Chopt over a salad that she says contained a piece of the manager's finger.
The lawsuit filed Monday alleges that the incident occurred at a Chopt location in Mount Kisco, New York, on April 7, 2023. The customer, identified as Allison Cozzi of Greenwich, Connecticut, claims that while eating the salad, she discovered that she was chewing on a portion of a human finger that had been mixed into the salad.
According to the lawsuit, the manager accidentally severed a piece of her left pointer finger while chopping arugula. Despite seeking medical attention, the contaminated arugula was served to customers, including Cozzi.
Records from the Westchester County health department indicate that Chopt was fined $900 as a result of the incident.
Customer Claims Injuries and Seeks Damages
Cozzi states in the lawsuit that she suffered injuries as a result of consuming the contaminated salad. These injuries include shock, panic attacks, migraine, cognitive impairment, nausea, dizziness, and neck and shoulder pain.
Cozzi is seeking unspecified monetary damages for the physical and emotional harm she endured.
Chopt Creative Salad Co. Yet to Comment
An email seeking comment was sent to Chopt Creative Salad Co., a chain with more than 70 locations across the eastern United States.
Cozzi's attorney said Tuesday that she does not want to comment further.
This is hardly the first time a customer has allegedly found a human finger in their food. In 2016, a pregnant California woman filed a claim saying she discovered a bloody fingertip in a salad at an Applebee's restaurant in Paso Robles.
In 2012, a Michigan teen claimed that he encountered a finger — including a knuckle — when he bit into his Arby's roast beef sandwich.
In 2010, a Florida woman sued IHOP after she allegedly found the severed tip of a human finger in her fried chicken green salad.
In 2005, a man allegedly discovered part of a severed finger packed inside a pint of frozen custard he had bought from a Kohl's Frozen Custard shop in North Carolina.
