Famous pizza chain draws flak as unexpected guests chip their food away

As dining out and delivery become staples of modern living, restaurants should maintain impeccable hygiene standards.

However, a recent incident at a popular pizza chain left customers squawking in disgust and disbelief.


A video taken at a Crust Pizza branch in Sydney's Neutral Bay recently went viral as it captured a scene that ruffled diners' feathers.

In the video, a trio of pigeons pecked away at the shop's pizza toppings on display.

The birds were freely nibbling on the items, with no staff in sight to shoo them away or keep the food safe.


compressed-crust pizza.jpeg
Three pigeons feasted on a Crust Pizza branch's toppings display. Image Credit: TikTok/Charles Spalton


Several patrons took to social media and shared their disappointment towards the chain.

'Never eating Crust pizza again,' one comment read.

'That's my last Crust order ever!' another patron exclaimed in the comments section.


However, some customers found humour in the situation.

One jokingly suggested a new menu item called the 'Peri peri pigeon'.

Another claimed that the birds were 'spicing up for the Crust hot wings'.

While met with jest, the majority of responses indicated a severe concern for food safety and hygiene practices.

This incident raised questions about the standards expected from food providers.


In a recent article, the NSW Food Authority released a list of restaurants that have violated food safety practices and standards.

Fast food chains and upscale establishments faced fines for food contamination, lack of cleanliness, and other compliance failures.

As of writing, Crust Pizza has yet to respond to the video.

Watch the video here:

Source: @charlesspalton/TikTok

This incident is a stark reminder always to be vigilant about where we choose to dine.

It's a call for all food establishments to review their hygiene protocols and ensure that their standards meet both regulatory requirements and the customers' expectations.
Key Takeaways

  • A video of pigeons eating ingredients at a Crust Pizza store in Neutral Bay recently went viral.
  • The video showed the birds feasting on the pizzeria's toppings with no staff in sight.
  • Some customers expressed their disgust over the lack of food safety regulations and declared they would no longer eat at the establishment.
  • The NSW Food Authority recently listed down restaurants that have violated food safety standards, which included both hole-in-the-wall places and upscale venues.
Have you had a similar experience at a restaurant or fast food chain? How did it affect your perception of the brand? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below.
 
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Now that Asian Bird Flu is on the rise, these birds could be carriers.
Saw pigeons walking/flying about in the Sunshine Plaza Maroochydore Foodhall yesterday. Knowing just how much dust etc. can be dropped off their wings, it is a worry.
 
Absolutely disgusting, this is why people will no longer support certain businesses. Then they ask.. why ? We don't have Crust pizza here thank god !! However in saying that I am not putting all Crust businesses into the same boat.
 
This is disgusting, this is why I prefer not to eat out anymore, not enough care in the way food is handled, and when you hear that stolen meat is being sold to restaurants, who knows how that has been handled also.. no thanks, no gastro for me.
 
Now that Asian Bird Flu is on the rise, these birds could be carriers.
Saw pigeons walking/flying about in the Sunshine Plaza Maroochydore Foodhall yesterday. Knowing just how much dust etc. can be dropped off their wings, it is a worry.
Well bird flu is a scam but that aside, the plaza at Maroochydore is semi open air. You will always get birds coming into those places. Food should be stored in covered containers or in expressly created "showcases" with sliding doors on the back so they are protected from contamination. I'm surprised there not that type of door on pizza topping food storage area.
 
Well bird flu is a scam but that aside, the plaza at Maroochydore is semi open air. You will always get birds coming into those places. Food should be stored in covered containers or in expressly created "showcases" with sliding doors on the back so they are protected from contamination. I'm surprised there not that type of door on pizza topping food storage area.
Bird flu is a scam? Just who would benefit from this 'so called' scam please? 🐦
 
Personally, I don’t like Crust’s pizza, or their high prices. I think this situation is unfortunately typical of the lack of care displayed by so many younger people in hospitality today who only do ‘their specified job’ and then stare at their phones. Where were the staff? Why was no one there to stop the vermin entering, or to close the door to stop their entry?
It is appalling that our food service industry has fallen this far.
 
That particular pizza place needs air conditioning, keep the door shut and have the prepared topping enclosed in a glass display. Makes sense to me.

Makes me wonder if there are other fast food places in that location and if do, how they keep the local birds out. Or do they?
 

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