What started as a relaxing evening quickly turned into an unsettling experience for two friends dining at a popular downtown restaurant known for its healthy, farm-to-table menu. One of them ordered the avocado-quinoa salad—fresh, light, and seemingly a safe choice.
The evening was going smoothly until one of the women noticed something odd: tiny black specks scattered across her greens. At first, she assumed they were chia seeds or part of a spice blend. But then the unexpected happened—the specks moved.
Disturbed, the friends immediately notified the staff. The restaurant manager responded with apologies, citing a possible issue with a supplier or storage error. While reassurances were offered, the friends felt it was best to leave and sought medical attention out of an abundance of caution.
At the hospital, doctors performed routine evaluations and provided preventive care, including guidance on symptoms to watch for in the following days—such as stomach upset or fever. Thankfully, no serious complications developed, but the experience left a lasting impression.
The restaurant later described the incident as an isolated quality control issue and confirmed additional safety checks had been implemented.
Continue reading on next page…