Columbia McAlister’s Deli responds to food tampering accusations

UPDATE Dec. 17: The Columbia Police Officer’s Association said McAlister’s Deli reviewed video footage and did not see anyone tampering with the food. The group posted the following statement on its Facebook page:

“‘The investigation of the incident yesterday has concluded that the order was placed for pick up and the recipient was anonymous therefore it would not be possible to target the police.’
From CPOA: The receipt did have the officers name on it. It was NOT anonymous.
(a) the order had the address for the Police Station, and that address is well known to certain people in the community. (b) When our officers say their food had some foreign substance(s) in it, I believe them. They have no reason to fabricate a story like that.
Nevertheless, McAlister’s management has reviewed the video from their location and states they cannot see anything improper taking place. And, we have no reason to suspect the delivery driver.
McAlister’s has been very responsive on this issue and we appreciate their due diligence. So,let’s all put this behind us and move forward!”

ORIGINAL: The Columbia Police Officer’s Association publicly accused the McAlister’s Deli located on Grindstone Parkway in Columbia of serving two officers tainted food on Friday.

The CPOA in a Facebook post, claimed officers received sandwiches with a piece of plastic and pubic hair on them. The same post said it was not the first time the store had served bad food to police.

Angie Champsaur, a McAlister’s spokesperson, sent ABC17 the following statement:

“At McAlister’s, food quality and safety is at the forefront, and our franchisees take a great deal of pride in the quality of our food and service experience,” Champsaur said. “We are working with the franchise to understand the details of this situation. The McAlister’s Deli in Columbia has an excellent track record in the community, and we will continue to be a place where everyone is welcome and appreciated, and that includes our area law enforcement.”

The manager of Columbia’s McAlister’s gave the officers a refund, according to the CPOA post, which also says the incident has been reported to the Columbia Health Department.

In an interview with ABC-17 News the executive director of the CPOA, Dale Roberts, said he thinks it is sad when incidents like this occur given what police do for the public.