Subway Worker Confronted for Allegedly Dipping Knife in 'Dirty' Bucket in Viral Video

A TikTok has gone viral that shows someone confronting a Subway worker, saying that they were allegedly dipping a knife in a "dirty bucket multiple times," and that they "cut people's sandwiches." The video has been viewed 1.8 million times so far, and it has sparked a debate on social media.

TikToker @jbyourbestiebaby shared the 15-second post with a voice overlay of the words on the screen, "I watched him dip the knife in that dirty bucket multiple times and cut people's sandwiches." Subway is also used in a hashtag and tagged as well.

As this is going on, the customer can also be heard in the background as the video shows a green bucket full of a yellow liquid in a worker's hand.

"So why you cleaning, putting f***ing knives in people's.… Cutting people's sandwiches you're putting the knife in there to clean it," the customer said. "You see how dirty that is?"

"Why do you do that bro, why?" they ask while tilting the camera at the Subway employee, who tried to say something. "It's clean or no?" The video then cut off as the worker is trying to say something.

According to Statista, Subway brought in $10.2 billion in revenue in 2019, which was a decrease of $210 million from 2018. The website also reports there were 41,600 Subway restaurants in the world as of 2019.

Over 142,500 people have liked the video with 3,800 comments so far. People have varying opinions, and a debate has started about the situation.

Some people don't actually blame the worker at all. "It's not his fault, it's the company's fault," a TikToker said.

Another person seemed to side with the employee as well, saying that they "don't think it's harmful. Ain't like he licking it and putting it back." They also reasoned, "It's probably from the ingredients."

Others brought up the same point more than once. "It's not a five-star restaurant, eat at home," a viewer said.

A TikToker rallied to the worker's defense saying, "You never know bruh he could of been busy."

However, a lot of other people are grossed out at the situation. "They have sinks," someone pointed out. "They can rinse that bucket very easily and consistently so it doesn't look like that. That's pure laziness."

Some Subway workers weighed in as well, and one said, "the water has sanitizer in it, though we never let the water get this bad where I work. The water is typically very clean and has one ... two brushes on the side that touch to scrub the blade between passes. They definitely should have changed that water though."

Yet another Subway worker said, "I work at Subway and can confirm. We do this every day."

Another person blamed the situation on "whoever trained" the worker in the video.

Some people wanted to hear what the worker had to say. "I need to hear the other side after you cut off his answer," a user wrote.

Others had comments like, "Why did I have to see this?" and "Tell environmental health please."

One user revealed, "That's why I never eat Subway."

A TikToker said the "sanitizers are supposed to get changed" every 10 minutes. "Anyone who says it's not his fault doesn't work in fast food," they continued.

When asked for comment, a Subway spokesperson sent Newsweek this statement, saying, "Subway requires that all franchisees train their team members on food preparation and safety standards, including that all equipment must be cleaned and maintained properly. Subway and our network of franchisees take health and food safety extremely seriously and don't condone any behavior that violates our strict policies in these areas."

Newsweek also reached out to TikToker @jbyourbestiebaby for comment.

Update: 1/20/2022 10:28 a.m. ET: This story has been updated to include a statement from Subway.