Hero Certified Burgers says it is investigating after two Burlington parents reported that their children discovered pieces of metal in hamburgers served during a school-ordered lunch last week.
The incident occurred on Friday at Kilbride Public School, which had ordered meals from a Hero Certified Burgers franchise in Oakville, one of its regular lunch vendors. Shortly after the lunches were handed out, two students reported finding a foreign object in their food.
“It was really scary because my children are young. They absolutely could have swallowed a piece and not realized it,” one parent told CBC Toronto. “That thought was absolutely terrifying.”
Burgers Recalled Over PA System
According to parents, school staff acted quickly. A message was broadcast over the PA system instructing teachers to collect all hamburgers immediately, inspect them for contamination, and note how much each student had eaten.
While some students had only taken a few bites, others finished their meals before the recall. Parents began messaging one another, and some contacted their family doctors to ask whether their children needed X-rays.
The school notified Halton Public Health, contacted the vendor, and emailed parents about the potentially dangerous discovery.
Metal Consistent With Grill Brush Bristles
In a statement sent to families, the school said the metal fragments appeared to be consistent with bristles from a metal grill-cleaning brush. Students who returned their burgers were provided replacement pizza, paid for by the restaurant.
The school also reported that a Hero Certified Burgers supervisor visited the Oakville franchise at 380 Dundas Street E. and ordered staff to discontinue the use of metal grill brushes immediately.
Restaurant Investigating
Hero Certified Burgers confirmed to CBC Toronto that it has launched an internal investigation and that its head office conducted two on-site inspections at the affected franchise.
“We recognize the seriousness of this matter, and it is being treated with the highest priority,” the company said. It also noted that a public health inspection had already been scheduled for Tuesday.
“We can confirm that all appropriate protocols and verification steps are being followed to determine the facts and to uphold our commitment to guest safety,” the statement read.
Public Health Confirms Ongoing Investigation
Halton Public Health says it has begun its own investigation into the complaint.
“We take concerns of this nature very seriously,” the agency said.
According to Health Canada, barbecue grill brushes must carry warning labels and undergo testing to reduce the risk of bristles breaking off and ending up in food. Despite these regulations, they remain legal for restaurants and households to use.
Between 2011 and 2024, hospitals recorded 45 emergency department visits for injuries linked to ingesting or inhaling detached grill brush bristles. Twenty-one of those cases involved children under age nine.
“It blew my mind to think that restaurants and chains in today’s day and age are still using these metal brushes,” one parent said.
School Cuts Ties With Vendor
In a follow-up statement to parents on Monday, Kilbride Public School announced it will no longer use Hero Certified Burgers as part of its school-approved lunch program.
Parents say they fully support that decision.
“[The school] responded with exceptional speed and care,” one parent said. “I believe they took every precaution to ensure students were safe. Their organized response helped turn a scary situation into one that felt managed and transparent.”
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