A Tim Hortons sign is seen in Ottawa on September 7, 2022. On the right, a photo shows a cockroach inside a cup of iced coffee. CTV News
A woman in Markham is thinking about suing after she says she found a cockroach in her Tim Hortons iced coffee. She was disappointed with how the restaurant handled the situation.
The incident happened on March 10 at a busy location in Scarborough. Subhana Pira and her friends visited the coffee shop around 9:15 p.m. after breaking their Ramadan fast.
Pira said they ordered four drinks. While drinking one, she noticed a dark object floating inside. She quickly realized it was a large cockroach with antennas. Shocked and disgusted, she and her friend who shared the drink ran to the washroom and vomited.
Pira, a nursing student, later said that several people in her group suffered from vomiting and diarrhea. She reported the issue to Toronto Public Health but has not received a response yet.
Tim Hortons Employee’s Response
After discovering the cockroach, Pira and her friends canceled the remaining drink and asked for refunds. The restaurant refunded their money.
A video of the exchange shows Pira speaking with a staff member who introduced himself as a supervisor. In the footage, the employee says, "Sometimes a cockroach comes in the iced coffee packets, it happens." He added that the store has pest control measures but can’t fully prevent such incidents.
Pira was shocked by his response, calling it “very nonchalant.” She felt like the employee didn’t care about the issue.
She contacted Tim Hortons' head office the next day. The company told her they would discuss the matter with the franchise owner. They also offered her a $50 gift card, but she refused.
"I’m never drinking Tim Hortons again," Pira said. She wants the company to improve its cleanliness to prevent similar incidents at other locations.
Tim Hortons Investigates
Tim Hortons issued a statement saying they found the video “concerning” and are investigating. The company assured customers that their coffee packaging process is strictly controlled and that their inspections have found no issues.
Toronto Public Health inspected the location three days after the complaint. The restaurant passed the inspection. Tim Hortons also sent its own corporate staff to check for problems but found none.
The company confirmed that Pira is seeking $50,000 in compensation. However, they declined to comment further due to potential legal action.
Pira Stands Firm
Pira believes her request for compensation is justified. She says the incident caused her significant distress and posed a serious health risk. She also thinks the restaurant’s $50 gift card offer was not enough.
Toronto Public Health is still looking into the complaint and plans to release a response soon.
