Dining Turns Dangerous: Grill Brush Bristle Found in Steakhouse Filet

Jul 17, 2025 @ 08:00 AM — by Rocky Walton

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A Night Out Turns to Trauma

Our client ordered a filet mignon — a tender cut of beef expected to be a safe, easy meal. But on her second bite, she began choking violently. Blood began filling her mouth, and despite repeated attempts, she couldn’t swallow the meat or clear her airway. She quickly rose from her table to continue her coughing and attempt of passing the meat more privately outside the main dining room. The bartender, alarmed, handed her towels as blood continued to pour. A paramedic on-site gave brief assistance, but with her condition deteriorating, her husband rushed her to the nearest emergency room.

At the hospital, she underwent emergency endoscopic surgery to remove the lodged piece of meat. However, the trauma to her esophagus wasn’t caused by the food. The surgeon made a chilling observation: the steak itself was far too small and tender to have caused such a severe laceration. The only logical explanation? A foreign, sharp object embedded in the food — likely a stray bristle.

Subsequent conversations with the restaurant’s employees revealed that the grill had just been cleaned using a wire-bristle brush before our client’s steak was cooked. This disturbing revelation matches an all-too-familiar pattern seen across the country — one that continues despite repeated warnings from health professionals.

Since the initial incident, our client has undergone a second endoscopic procedure. Despite these efforts, the laceration in her esophagus has yet to heal. She continues to suffer from throat pain, tenderness, and emotional distress from the trauma. She faces another follow-up in the coming month to determine whether a third surgery will be necessary.

The physical pain is just one part of the equation. The psychological trauma — the fear of eating, the anxiety around dining out, and the mental toll of ongoing treatment — cannot be overstated. Our client did nothing wrong. She was simply enjoying a meal as a paying customer after spending money in the casino, as any of us might, when she became the victim of a completely avoidable hazard.

A Known but Unregulated Threat

Wire-bristle grill brushes have posed serious health risks for over a decade. Detached bristles can end up in food, causing internal injuries like perforated intestines, esophageal tears, and even life-threatening infections.

In July 2024, the American Medical Association (AMA) called for mandatory warning labels, citing numerous injuries. However, as of July 2025, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has not implemented any labeling requirements or restrictions.

Current Regulatory Stance:

AMA: Advocates for mandatory warning labels based on documented medical cases.
CPSC: Acknowledges the injuries but has taken no regulatory action.
Federal Labeling: No standardized warning language or placement exists, leaving consumers largely uninformed.

Why Wire-Bristle Brushes Should Be Banned For Use On Residential & Commercial Kitchen/Restaurant Grills

These incidents aren’t flukes — they reflect a systemic failure in consumer safety. Bristles can break off with use and stick to grill surfaces, making their way into food and causing serious injuries.

Recommended Policy Actions:

Ban use in commercial kitchens to reduce public exposure.
Mandate safer alternatives, such as nylon or pumice tools.
Include grill-cleaning tools in health inspections, treating them as food-contact equipment.

Safer Alternatives Are Available

Effective, affordable replacements include:

Grill stones/pumice blocks – Mold to grates, no residue.
Nylon brushes – Heat-resistant, less prone to breakage.
Coil and scraper tools – Solid design, no loose bristles.
Steam cleaners – Chemical-free and bristle-free cleaning.

A Call to Action

Our client’s injury is one of many — and it’s unacceptable.

We urge:

Consumers/Restaurants: Remove them from kitchens to safeguard customers.
Health Authorities: Add cleaning tool checks to routine inspections.
Lawmakers: Follow the AMA’s lead — mandate warning labels and work toward a full ban.

Now is the time to act before more lives are affected.

Why Our Client Chose Us - Board Certification Matters: Don’t Settle for Less in a Personal Injury Case

When facing a serious injury caused by negligence — such as ingesting a foreign object at a restaurant — it’s critical to hire an attorney who doesn’t just dabble in personal injury law but is board certified in personal injury trial law. This distinction isn’t just a title — it represents a high level of expertise, rigorous testing, proven trial experience, and peer recognition. Less than 3% of Texas attorneys are board certified in personal injury trial law. At our firm, attorneys Rocky Walton and Greg Jackson bring a combined 80 years of legal experience to the table, with over 50 of those years as Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyers. That certification matters when your case involves complex evidence, expert medical testimony, and fighting against big insurance companies. Choose a legal team with a track record of massive results and the credentials to back it up. Your case — and your recovery — deserve nothing less.