A McDonald’s employee in Booval, Ipswich, Queensland, was caught on camera drying a mop head under a fries warmer, sparking outrage. The video, originally posted on the Facebook , quickly went viral. It shows the worker holding a microfiber mop head inches away from freshly cooked fries.

Public reactions were divided—some made jokes like, “So that’s where the flavour comes from,” while others were disgusted. One commenter called it “the most brainless thing I’ve seen this year” and demanded the worker’s food safety certification be revoked.

McDonald’s Australia addressed the incident, confirming that management had spoken to the employee, who would keep her job. A spokesperson assured customers this was an isolated case, stating, “We have conducted thorough re-training on hygiene and food safety procedures.”

Despite reassurances, some customers remained skeptical, with one reviewer criticizing McDonald’s declining cleanliness standards. The incident has fueled debates on food safety in fast food, highlighting the role of social media in exposing lapses.

As the video spread, ex-employees shared tips for getting fresh food at McDonald’s. A former crew trainer suggested ordering burgers without salt and pepper for fresh patties or requesting unsalted fries to ensure a hot batch.

This controversy places McDonald’s hygiene practices under scrutiny. While the company has pledged improvements, it remains to be seen if this will restore customer confidence.