A Dunkin’ worker was filmed washing his bare feet in a sink behind the counter at one of the chain’s locations aboard the Staten Island Ferry.
The employee was seen lifting each foot into the sink and rinsing it with water just inches from an area where customers’ food and drinks were handled.
An eyewitness recorded the stomach-churning scene and described it as ‘disgusting’ before sharing the footage on TikTok on August 11.
The video quickly spread across social media and prompted an investigation by the New York City Health Department, according to the New York Post.
Footage showed the worker standing on what appeared to be an Islamic prayer rug as he washed his feet one at a time.
He appeared to have been performing wudu, an Islamic purification ritual traditionally carried out before prayer.
The ritual involves washing specific parts of the body, including the hands, face, arms and feet, in a prescribed sequence.
Muslims typically perform wudu before each of the five daily prayers, known as salah, as well as before certain other religious activities.
The Dunkin’ concession aboard a Staten Island Ferry came under scrutiny after an employee was filmed washing his bare feet in a sink
The viral footage was recorded aboard a Staten Island Ferry before being posted to TikTok on August 11
The Staten Island Ferry carries commuters between Manhattan and Staten Island across New York Harbor
But critics stressed that their outrage was directed at the worker’s decision to wash his feet inside a commercial food-service area rather than the religious practice itself.
The footage divided social media users, with some condemning the worker’s actions and others defending the apparent religious ritual.
‘This [is] why I go to Starbucks,’ one commenter wrote.
Another joked: ‘He better be going home and not adding cheese to my bagel.’
‘Y’all justifying it and saying that he’s doing it for prayer is crazy,’ a third said. ‘He should not be doing that where customers can see him.’
Others defended the worker and accused critics of failing to understand the ritual.
‘He is actually cleaning himself, making “wudu,” getting ready to pray to his God,’ one person wrote.
‘I understand how it looks [to] someone who doesn’t know this, but as a worker he most likely washed his hands after to help make your drinks and food.’
Another said the prayer rug explained why the employee was washing his feet and condemned what they described as ‘racism’ in the comments.
‘I do not believe that he served customers after this without washing his hands,’ they added.
The New York City Health Department said restaurants were required to comply with food-safety rules but did not disclose whether inspectors had uncovered any violations.
‘The NYC Health Department promotes the safety of food served in the city’s restaurants so New Yorkers and visitors can dine without fear of becoming ill,’ the agency told the Post.
‘Restaurants are required to follow food safety requirements.’
The city’s Department of Transportation, which operates the Staten Island Ferry, said it was reviewing the incident and would ‘take appropriate action.’
It remains unclear whether the worker faced disciplinary action or whether the sink was used for preparing food, washing equipment or employees’ hands.
The Daily Mail has contacted Dunkin’, the New York City Health Department and the Department of Transportation for further comment.
