A recent video emerged showing a tray full of Chick-fil-A nuggets being thrown out at the end of the night. Outrage and anger started flying in the comments. Debates about food waste, starvation, shelters, and homelessness soon took over the TikTok comment section.
Chick-fil-A Nuggets Thrown Away- Waste or Not?
TikTok user jlucvss is the one who started this uproar with the video they uploaded. Currently, that video has nearly 8 million views and 16k comments. Captioned ‘What they do every night with the chicken nuggets at Chick-fil-a” many people were upset about what they just witnessed. Homelessness is a major problem in the States, and shelters are in constant need of donations. Outrage was alive and well in the comment section. However, so was some explanation about why this happens.
One user said “The amount of food we throw away and the amount of starving people there are just doesn’t sit right with me. It’s sad.” “Should just give it to the homeless, what a waste of food,” another person commented. While these big-hearted humans may be right with their intentions, there are rules in place apparently.
Food and safety guidelines have strict rules about donating cooked food. The USDA has a FAQ section that discusses this topic. To summarize, when a restaurant wants to donate food, they have to agree that it is healthy and wholesome. It also can’t be potentially harmful or cause illness. Cooked chicken is normally safe, but what if some Chick-fil-A nuggets were sitting out for too long before they arrived at a shelter? What if someone got sick from eating a well-intentioned Chick-Fil-A nugget? The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects companies like fast-food chains.
“In order to receive protection under the Act, a person or gleaner must
USDA
donate in good faith apparently wholesome food or apparently fit grocery products to a nonprofit
organization for ultimate distribution to needy individuals.
Read More: Italian Law: To Send Unsold Food To Charities Instead Of Dumpsters
What it all Means
Essentially, if a food isn’t 100% within the guidelines of the USDA, a company doesn’t have to donate it to a shelter. It makes sense, but surely there are other options to handle food waste? One commenter suggested leaving them outside with a sign that says “Free Nuggets.” The idea is strong, maybe it will do well.
I guess we’re not going to talk about the floor, right? I know it’s part of the job to clean up at night, but look under the machines…what is going on in that store? Not to mention, the playing of Kendrick Lamar might not sit too well with corporate but we’re sure they’ve seen this by now anyway.
Keep Reading: Haiti’s Poor Eats Mud to Avoid Starvation
Sources:
- “Chick-fil-A Worker Exposes Nuggets Being Thrown In Trash At The End Of The Night.” God DailyDot. June 18, 2021.
- “What they do every night’: Chick-fil-A employee infuriates TikTok with viral video.” Daily Mail. Erica Tepesta. June 19, 2021.
- “Frequently Asked Questions about the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act.” USDA. March 1997.