A disturbing video circulating on social media has reignited public distrust in restaurant hygiene – and sparked a wave of support for home-cooked meals over takeout.
Shared on Instagram, the clip captures a cleaner sweeping a commercial kitchen.
As he finishes collecting dirt in a dustpan, he walks over to a large pot on a gas burner and dumps the dirt into the food being prepared.
Public reaction
The video, though brief, has left viewers horrified.
The kitchen, while not large, is clearly active, with a food workstation behind the cleaner and multiple burners in use.
The incident has triggered a strong response online:
- “And this is why I cook at home,” one user commented.
- “Every time I consider ordering food, something like this shows up,” another wrote.
- Many noted that such footage underscores the lack of accountability and oversight in some commercial kitchens.
Pattern of concern
This incident also reminds one of another viral video from last year, in which a domestic worker was caught on camera urinating in food she had cooked for the household she worked for – which led, unsurprisingly, the family falling ill.
While such incidents may be isolated, they highlight real concerns about hygiene and food safety in some commercial environments.
Food industry regulations exist to prevent this sort of misconduct, but enforcement and oversight can be inconsistent.
Do you worry what goes on in restaurant kitchens?
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