SAO PAULO (AP) - A Brazilian court has ordered McDonald’s to pay a former franchise manager $17,500 because he gained 65 pounds while working there a dozen years. The 32-year-old man said he was forced to sample food products each day to ensure that quality standards remained high because McDonald’s hired “mystery clients” to randomly visit restaurants and report on the food, service and cleanliness.
The man also said McDonald’s offered free lunches to employees, adding to his caloric intake while on the job. His identity was not released.
The ruling against McDonald’s was signed Tuesday by judge Joao Filho in Porto Alegre.
McDonald’s can appeal the case. A local company spokesman did not immediately return calls Thursday.
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