An Arby's customer in Oklahoma alleges she contracted herpes after an employee spit into her sandwich. Jennica Church, of Broken Bow, stated that she developed painful sores around her mouth and lips after purchasing food from the restaurant on March 28.
Church ordered a sandwich deal shortly before the Arby's location closed. She later shared the sandwiches with family members. Two days after consumption, Church developed a blister on her lip, which she reported had never occurred previously. A subsequent medical diagnosis identified the condition as HSV-1, commonly known as oral herpes.
According to an incident report, video footage from the restaurant's cameras appeared to confirm that Amanda Hendricks, the former manager, spat into Church's sandwich. The report details that Hendricks was observed leaning down toward the meat slicer, spitting onto the meat, and then placing it on one of the sandwiches before it was served.
Hendricks reportedly admitted to the act during a phone call with a local officer. A warrant was issued for her arrest, and she faces a felony charge of poisoning food/medicine with intent to injure.
Beyond the criminal proceedings, Church and her family have filed a civil lawsuit against Hendricks. The lawsuit claims the incident caused anxiety, emotional distress, and fear of infection, citing the alleged herpes diagnosis as a direct result of the saliva contamination. Church has expressed concern that visible symptoms could negatively impact her employment as a bartender.
Medical professionals note that contracting herpes through shared saliva is possible but rare. Dr. Stuart Fischer, a practicing internist, explained that herpes typically spreads through direct contact. He added that saliva consumed in food would generally be digested by stomach enzymes. Fischer also pointed out that many individuals carry the herpes virus without displaying symptoms, as outbreaks can be dormant.
In the civil case, the burden of proof rests with Church to demonstrate that the herpes infection originated from the contaminated sandwich. Court records indicate that both the criminal and civil cases are ongoing and have not yet been resolved. Arby's has declined to comment on the matter.