(This article is authored by Alar, a freelance content writer) 

The Indian state of Gujarat has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the popular restaurant chain, McDonald's, after a coke from its outlet had a dead lizard. The levying of penalty has come two weeks after the visuals of the dead lizard in the coke went viral on social media. 

According to reports, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on a McDonald's outlet in Ahmedabad's Sola area on Monday. Speaking to a news agency, Additional medical officer of health at AMC Dr Bhavin Joshi said, "The restaurant has been penalized with Rs 1 lakh today (Monday) after the said complaint and inspection of the unit by AMC health officials." 

Joshi further said, "After paying the fine, the restaurant will be given two days for cleaning up. Following this, an inspection will be held and the unit it will be allowed to reopen if the team finds it satisfactory." On May 21, a customer named Bhargav Joshi had posted the photos of the dead lizard in the drink served by McDonald's on Twitter after which the AMC took the matter into suo moto cognisance. 

After taking the case, the AMC food safety officer Devang Patel had collected the samples of the drink from the outlet for testing at the public health laboratory in Ahmedabad and sealed the restaurant with immediate effect for larger public health safety. The outlet was also directed not to resume its operations without prior permission from the civic body. 

On Monday, after being imposed with a fine, McDonald's said in a statement, "At McDonald's, we are committed to ensuring the safety and hygiene of all our customers. Quality, service, cleanliness, and value are at the core of our business operations. Furthermore, as part of our Golden Guarantee Programme, we have implemented 42 strict safety and hygiene protocols across all our McDonald's restaurants, which include strict processes for regular kitchen and restaurant cleaning and sanitization, among others." 

It further said, "We are looking into this incident that is alleged to have taken place at the Ahmedabad outlet. While we have checked repeatedly and found nothing wrong, we are cooperating with the authorities, being a good corporate citizen. We are known both in India and worldwide as a restaurant brand with an impeccable health and hygiene measures in place."