Diner Finds Live Worm in Salad at Popular Restaurant Chain

A customer, identified only as Hadar, reported finding a live worm in her sweet potato salad after eating about half of it at a branch of the River Noodles Bar chain in Petah Tikva. She described the experience as deeply unpleasant, stating she vomited and has since avoided salads and lettuce.

Hadar initially contacted the delivery company but received no satisfactory response. She then reached out to the restaurant, where a manager apologized and offered NIS 100 in compensation. Dissatisfied, Hadar argued that the amount was insufficient for a sanitary issue and demanded more. The restaurant eventually offered NIS 500, which she accepted, but the experience left her unwilling to dine there again.

Dr. Dana Florentin, a family medicine expert, advised thorough washing and soaking of leafy greens in water with vinegar or salt for about ten minutes to dislodge any hidden insects or larvae, noting they are often nearly transparent and difficult to spot.

River Noodles Bar issued a statement asserting their commitment to service, product quality, and high sanitary standards, with daily checks by professionals. They detailed the customer's order and timeline, stating she contacted them about a small green worm on the lettuce and initially accepted a refund for the delivery plus NIS 100. After demanding more, she was offered NIS 500. The restaurant expressed surprise at the customer's media outreach after accepting the compensation, suggesting it might be an attempt at 'shaming' or extorting further payment. They emphasized that their lettuce is sourced from a hydroponic farm with daily inspections, including by a kosher supervisor, and is washed and dried before use. The chain stated that while such an incident is possible despite their precautions, they do not recall a similar event in recent years.