Orange County man claims he found 2 dead geckos in beer

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- A Fountain Valley man is suing Heineken, claiming he found dead geckos in his can of brew. Now, the beer company is firing back.

George Toubbeh claims he found two dead geckos in his can of beer. However, Heineken said it has investigated and believes there is no merit to the claim.

Toubbeh said he noticed a foul taste while drinking the 24-ounce beer in 2015 and became violently ill.

"I'm not feeling well. I'm not feeling well because there's too much pain in my stomach. All of the sudden I start to throw up, I went to the bathroom right away," he said.

He said he felt intense stomach pain and collapsed. His daughter found the dead leopard geckos in the can.

Toubbeh was rushed to the hospital, and he said for three months he battled with physical and psychological problems.

"When that can left Heineken, it was delivered to Ralph's, it was already adulterated. It wasn't fit for human consumption," attorney John Montevideo said.

Toubbeh and his attorney filed the lawsuit against the company and Kroger, which owns the Ralph's where the beer was purchased. The lawsuit claims negligence and states the law firm had its own scientific tests done.

Heineken issued the following statement in response to the suit.

His lawyer said his office has done its own independent investigation and is confident the claim is credible.

The lawsuit seeks an undisclosed amount of damages.