READ: McDonald’s statement on that alleged food poisoning incident

Got a tip? Send it to us at manila@coconuts.co.

UPDATE (5:30pm, July 11): McDonald’s Philippines just issued its second statement regarding the incident on Saturday in its social media pages. It reads:

“Nothing is more important to McDonald’s than the safety and well-being of its customers.

“We would like to assure everyone that the food and drinks we serve are safe. We adhere to strict food safety and qualit standards at all times.

“The initial report involving the case of Mr. Jose Maria C Escano and Ms Juliet Yap Escano of Las Pinas, has been released and cited ‘shock secondary to [the] ingestion of [a] toxic substance’ as the cause of their death.

“The substance and its source have NOT been identified.

“To date, we have not received any formal inquiry from the authorities or the Escano family.

“We would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the family and the assurance of full cooperation to the authorities should they request for our assistance in the investigation.

“It is important during a time like this to let the proper investigation occur and assist the authorities in bringing resolution and clarifity to the family.

“We continue to ask the public not to speculate and be responsible in sharing information.”

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Fastfood totally owned this week’s food headlines.

Soon after the Jollibee viral story died down, talk turned to McDonald’s on Friday. A couple allegedly died of food poisoning soon after they ate in a McDonald’s location somewhere down south, went the rumors on private messaging apps.

To be fair to McDonald’s, the fastfood chain swiftly issued a response — at 2pm on Friday to be exact, a little over two hours after Coconuts Manila received a tip.

Read the full statement below:

“McDonald’s Philippines would like to assure all its customers and the general public that the food we serve is safe. We adhere to strict food safety and quality standards at all times.

It has come to our attention that there are multiple messages circulating about a couple who allegedly died due to food poisoning. The information in these messages has not been verified by the authorities, including cause of death and other pertinent details.

To date, we have not received any formal inquiry from the authorities. The victims’ family has not contacted us as well. We implore the public not to speculate and be responsible in sharing information.