Two parents are speaking out after students at a Burlington, Ontario, school reported finding metal in hamburgers provided through a lunch vendor.
The incident involved Kilbride Public School, which had ordered meals from a Hero Certified Burgers location in Oakville. After distribution, two students disclosed that a foreign object was present in their burgers.
To protect the children’s privacy, CBC Toronto is not naming the parents.
One parent described the situation as terrifying, noting that young children could have swallowed a piece without realizing it. The school promptly halted the meal distribution and announced over the PA system that all burgers would be recalled. Staff were asked to inspect each student’s meal and track how much was consumed.
Another parent said some children took only a few bites while others finished their burgers before the recall could be completed. Families began contacting doctors to determine whether X-rays or further medical checks were necessary.
Kilbride Public School notified the vendor, informed families by email, and alerted Halton Public Health about the issue.
Initial findings indicated the metal shards resembled grill-brush bristles. In response, the school provided replacement pizza for affected students, with the burger restaurant covering the cost.
A Hero Certified Burgers supervisor visited the Oakville location at 380 Dundas Street East and decided to discontinue the use of metal grill brushes. The company stated it is investigating the matter, with two on-site inspections already conducted at the franchise. They emphasized the seriousness of the situation and that it is treating the issue as a top priority. A public health inspection had been scheduled for the restaurant around the time of the report.
Halton Public Health confirmed it is reviewing the complaint and is treating it with due seriousness. Health Canada has existing regulations for barbecue grill brushes, including warning labels and testing to reduce the risk of wire bristles detaching and ending up in food. Between 2011 and 2024 there were 45 emergency department visits in Canada related to ingesting or inhaling bristles, 21 of which involved children under nine. Despite these risks, grill brushes remain legal for use by restaurants and households.
One parent expressed disbelief that some eateries still use metal grill brushes in today’s era.
Kilbride Public School announced that it will no longer use Hero Certified Burgers for its school lunch program and commended the school for its rapid and transparent response. The parents involved said they feel reassured by the measures taken, even as they decide not to return to the burger chain.
If you’d like, I can add examples of safer grilling alternatives and steps you can take to minimize risk when feeding children foods cooked on grills.
