A grocery store in Pennsylvania said it had to dispose of more than $35,000 worth of food after a woman apparently came in and coughed on it as a “prank.”

The news was relayed in a Facebook post by Gerrity’s Supermarket, and was previously reported on by Fox News. Store co-owner Joe Fasula wrote in the post that a woman who has been a “chronic problem in the community” came in and coughed on items in a store located in Hanover Township, PA.

The post said she coughed on “fresh produce, and a small section of our bakery, meat case and grocery” and that store employees believe it was a “twisted prank.” Following the incident, the store disposed of the groceries, which it estimated to be much more than $35,000, and cleaned and disinfected the entire area with the help of a health inspector.

The case was escalated to the District Attorney’s office who also issued a press release on the matter. They said the woman is “being evaluated at a local hospital for a mental health evaluation” and that criminal charges will be filed.

Fasula went on to write that he is hoping the insurance company will cover the loss, but it’s the waste of food in a time when many people are struggling to find groceries they need that has gotten to him.

“I am also absolutely sick to my stomach about the loss of food. While it is always a shame when food is wasted, in these times when so many people are worried about the security of our food supply, it is even more disturbing,” he wrote.

But he did go on to praise employees for their hard work both during and after the incident. He also found one bit of a silver lining, which he ended the post with.

“One thing is for sure, we will have the cleanest display and freshest produce anywhere in northeast PA,” he concluded.

From: Delish US

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