On social media, many viewers were stunned after a video captured the moment showing a Chick-fil-A employee sparking outrage over wasted chicken nuggets.
A TikTok video showing a Chick-fil-A employee throwing away a full tray of chicken nuggets has sparked widespread outrage.
The footage has left many questioning food waste practices and stirred a heated debate online about the ethics of food disposal.
Chick-fil-A employee throws away a full tray of chicken nuggets
The viral video, shared by TikTok user @jlucvss, showcases an employee dumping leftover nuggets into the trash during the nightly cleanup.
With music playing in the background, the video caption reads: “What they do every night with the chicken nuggets at Chick-fil-A.”
The clip has amassed over 7.8 million views and thousands of comments, with many expressing shock and frustration over the waste.
Public reaction to the wasted food
Outraged commenters took to TikTok to voice their concerns.
However, some viewers assumed employees could take leftovers home, but @jlucvss clarified that only boxed items are allowed to be taken.
One person said: what a waste !and people on the streets hungry and eating out of garbage cans, it’s a shame to see this happening in so called develop countries.
A second wrote: Are there no homeless you could give them to… Or poor families… This is sinfull.
While a third commented: It would violate government regulation to give food out that was passed it’s government set acceptable hot or cold holding time. This can open you up to liabilities of fines and, of course, lawsuits. It may supersede logic but it is the fact.
Another added: Well yeah. Pretty much all fast food restaurants do this. Think about how many doughnuts get thrown away at Krispy Creme. It’s definitely wasteful, but Chik-Fil-A is still top tier in my book due to their high service quality and being consistently delicious.
Why leftover food can’t always be donated
Others pointed out the complexities surrounding food donations.
Chicken that sits too long cannot be given out to the homeless hours later. It will get them sick,explained one commenter.
Another wrote, It is illegal to give food to the homeless in food service, so any leftovers must go to employees or the trash.
These concerns highlight the liability issues businesses face when handling surplus food.
Chick-fil-A’s response and food donation program
Chick-fil-A addressed the controversy, emphasizing their commitment to food safety. A company spokesperson stated:
“Chick-fil-A restaurants have high food safety and quality standards, so when food falls outside a certain hold time, we’re no longer able to safely serve it in our restaurants.”
The spokesperson also highlighted the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program, established in 2012. This initiative donates surplus food to local nonprofits, soup kitchens, and shelters to support those in need.
Balancing safety and waste reduction. While the video exposed concerns about waste, Chick-fil-A’s donation program reflects efforts to mitigate food waste responsibly. The company works to provide surplus food safely to communities while maintaining strict health standards.
The viral video has reignited discussions about food waste, ethics, and corporate responsibility. While Chick-fil-A’s Shared Table program offers a solution, the broader issue of balancing food safety with waste reduction remains a challenge for the food industry.