Note: we are republishing this story, which originally made the news in August 2017.

In August 2017, a Muslim family accused a McDonald’s in Decatur, Alabama, of deliberately adding bacon to their sandwiches, which their faith forbids. The family, visiting from New York, discovered the bacon in their order of 14 McChicken sandwiches and reported feeling disturbed by the incident.

Khaula Hadeed, head of Alabama’s Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), called the act “intentional religious and ethnic bigotry” and demanded an investigation, stating, “This doesn’t sound like a mistake, especially on 14 sandwiches.” One family member reportedly vomited after the discovery.

Social media reactions were divided. Some sympathized with the family, believing the act was deliberate and offensive. Others were skeptical, suggesting it could have been an unintentional mistake or even a fabricated controversy.

CAIR urged McDonald’s to apologize, investigate, and hold those responsible accountable to prevent similar incidents in the future. The debate remains a contentious example of the complexities surrounding faith and discrimination in public spaces.