Hungry Jack’s is the sole Australian franchisee for the American fast-food joint, Burger King.

One of the outlets in Beechboro, northeast of Perth, was fined $75,000 for selling food that contained a piece of metal.

Ouch.

Hungry Jack’s was convicted in the Perth Magistrates Court of selling unsuitable food after a woman nearly choked on the 1.5cm piece of metal in an onion ring purchased in February.

A lawyer for Hungry Jack’s said the matter had been the subject of much “soul searching” for company management.

A spokesman for Hungry Jack’s said the company was “surprised and disappointed” by the findings and intended to appeal the decision.

“We have sophisticated quality assurance and rigorous training systems, which we believe stand up to scrutiny,” he said.