No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveFirst McDonald’s to open in Costa Rica closed by Health Ministry

First McDonald’s to open in Costa Rica closed by Health Ministry

The first McDonald’s in Costa Rica was shut down Monday by the Health Ministry and the San José Municipality due to multiple violations.

The McDonald’s, located in front of the Banco Central in downtown San José, opened in 1970. The closure took place after the restaurant failed to comply with the law 7.600 (that seeks equality for people with disabilities). But more problems were then found in the time-worn building.

“The complaint was made ​​by a citizen who noticed the absence of access for people with physical disabilities” said Carolina Guillén, regional director of the Health Ministry in San José “After that, we discovered that the operating license in the restaurant had expired a month ago, as well the the lack of a food handling course for 30 employees.”

In addition, the McDonald’s was cited for problems with the system for managing wastewater.

According to a statement made on the Facebook page of McDonald’s Costa Rica, the violations were due to problems with the administrative process in regards to health permit procedures.  The statement said, McDonald’s are training all staff in food handling courses to complete the Health Ministry’s requirements as soon as possible. The restaurant hopes to reopen as soon as possible.

The billion dollar franchise chose the site in downtown San José as McDonald’s first location outside of the United States and Canada. Currently, McDonald’s operates in 119 countries, according to the company’s website.

Trending Now

A Costa Rica Love Story: From Rustic Cabina to Separate Dreams

My Tica wife and I have been together for over a quarter century. When we met, I was living a simple life here. Three...

Costa Rica’s Pride March 2025 Defies Restrictions and Celebrates Diversity

A large crowd gathered in Paseo Colón, San José, to participate in the LGBTIQ+ Pride March 2025. It began at noon, as people marched...

U.S. – Guatemala Security Pact Targets Crime and Helps Returning Migrants

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem signed a border security cooperation agreement with Guatemala on Thursday, which includes the use of drones and...

Costa Rican Court Orders Release of Migrants Deported Under Trump Deal

A court on Tuesday ordered Costa Rican authorities to release foreign migrants who had been detained in a shelter after being deported under an...

Why Costa Rica Feels Like a Safe Haven for This Longtime Expat

If someone asked me to sum up why I live in Costa Rica in 5 words or less, my answer could well be: “It...

Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica