A woman in Queensland experienced panic after discovering a button battery in her takeout meal from a popular food chain. Stephanie Weston reported that her partner picked up dinner from Guzman y Gomez at Ripley, located southwest of Brisbane, on Friday. He ordered a chicken burrito and a beef mince burrito bowl. After consuming the burrito on the way home, he handed her the burrito bowl.

While eating, Weston noticed a small circular battery inside the bowl. Button batteries can lead to severe chemical burns and potentially fatal internal injuries if ingested. "We both started panicking," Weston said. The 36-year-old expressed relief that the battery was in her bowl, making it easier to spot, rather than in her partner's burrito. She had intended to share the meal with her stepchildren.

The couple contacted the Poisons Information Hotline, which advised them to seek medical attention if they could not determine the battery's origin. "It was quite corroded, so we were worried it had been leaking," Weston added. Her partner returned the meal to the restaurant, where the assistant manager explained that the battery had come from a thermometer. The restaurant offered a refund and two burrito vouchers as compensation.

In a related incident, a baby named Adèle was hospitalized after swallowing a button battery, highlighting the dangers associated with these objects. No information was provided regarding whether other batteries had been discovered in the restaurant's food. Weston noted that the staff did not collect her partner's details or advise them to go to the hospital.

A spokesperson for Guzman y Gomez stated that the company had contacted the customer involved and initiated a full investigation. "We have confirmed that the object came from a food-grade thermometer," the spokesperson said. They also mentioned that urgent actions were taken to prevent future occurrences, including replacing the thermometer model, training staff, and conducting additional equipment checks across all locations. "Food safety is our absolute priority at GYG, and we take incidents of this nature extremely seriously," the spokesperson added.

Dr. Ruth Barker, Director of the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit, expressed concern for "unsuspecting customers" who might have ingested a battery. "These little batteries usually come in stacks of two or three, and I would be wondering where the other batteries are," she said. Dr. Barker plans to discuss the issue with colleagues at Fair Trading.

Approximately 20 children visit hospital emergency departments each week due to suspected button battery ingestion or insertion, a figure that has remained consistent despite stricter regulations. Dr. Barker emphasized the importance of seeking immediate medical advice for any suspected battery ingestion. "The first point of call is to ring the Poisons Information number; you'll get 24/7 expert advice about what to do," she said. Parents should be vigilant for signs of button battery ingestion, including pain, irritability, unexplained food refusal, vomiting, drooling, or chest and stomach aches.