Foreign Object in Food

What You Need to Know

Common types of foreign objects:

• Glass – from broken dishes, bottles, or light bulbs
• Metal – from equipment parts, broken utensils, staples, or wire
• Plastic – from packaging materials or equipment parts
• Wood – splinters from cutting boards, wooden spoons, or toothpicks
• Stones or rocks – in produce, grains, or rice
• Personal items – bandages, jewelry, fingernails, hair
• Pests or cleaning supplies – insects, sponge or bristle fragments

When a customer discovers a foreign object in their food or suffers an injury from biting into or swallowing one, they can file a products liability claim against your restaurant. These claims fall under your general liability policy's products liability coverage, which typically covers medical expenses, pain and suffering, and your legal defense costs — though repeated claims will increase your premiums.

Why It Matters for Restaurant Owners

Foreign object claims are among the most common products liability claims facing restaurants, ranging from minor incidents (a hair in the food) to catastrophic injuries (a broken tooth or internal injuries from swallowing glass).

Even when no injury occurs, these incidents create serious reputational damage, especially if the customer posts photos on social media. When an injury does occur, costs escalate quickly: dental work alone can cost thousands of dollars, and more serious injuries can push damages into the tens of thousands or more.

Essential prevention measures include proper food safety protocols, training staff to inspect ingredients, using metal detectors for high-risk items, conducting regular equipment inspections, enforcing jewelry and nail policies for kitchen staff, and maintaining clean, organized work areas. Prevention is critical to minimizing both claim frequency and your long-term insurance costs.