Have you ever wondered why every restaurant bathroom has a sign that says, “Employees must wash hands”? It feels like common sense, right? But sadly, not everyone follows basic hygiene rules, even in kitchens where food is prepared. That’s where things get disturbing—especially at potlucks and home-cooked gatherings.
We visited the “This Is Why I Don’t Do Potlucks” Facebook group and found some of the most shocking and unhygienic food photos ever shared. These images are both funny and horrifying—and they highlight why food safety and cleanliness matter so much.
⚠️ Warning: You might want to skip this list if you’re eating. Some of these photos will make you think twice before trusting food from someone else’s kitchen again.
Scroll down to see the cringe-worthy moments, and keep reading to check out our chat with the group’s founder, Sarah Slabodnik, who gave us insight into the stories behind these shocking posts.
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Personally, I’ve always had a positive view of potlucks. They remind me of fun holiday gatherings at school, office parties, and special moments with family and friends—plus the joy of sharing a homemade dish. But after scrolling through the “This Is Why I Don’t Do Potlucks” Facebook group, I’ve started to see them a little differently.
This viral group launched in 2020 and has grown into a massive online community. It stays very active, with new members joining daily and tons of fresh photo submissions that highlight just how shocking people’s kitchen habits can be.
From cats lounging on top of salads to moldy food sitting proudly in fridges, these unhygienic kitchen fails will leave you stunned—and maybe even a little queasy. Get ready for some of the wildest and most disturbing potluck horror stories you’ll ever see!
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To learn more about this stomach-turning yet fascinating group, we reached out to the creator and admin of “This Is Why I Don’t Do Potlucks”, Sarah Slabodnik. Since we last featured them on Bored Panda, the group has grown and stayed as active as ever.
“Our group has been going really well,” Sarah shared. “We’re almost at 200,000 members, and we still get dozens of join requests every single day.”
According to Sarah, the group receives at least 50 new post submissions daily, filled with bizarre, funny, and sometimes shocking food-related content. “The engagement level is amazing,” she added. “We love how many people are commenting and reacting to the posts.”
This shows how powerful and entertaining user-generated food content can be—especially when it highlights what not to do in the kitchen!
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We also asked Sarah if the group’s content has changed over time. She noted a surprising but positive shift in the community.
“Over the past year, I’ve noticed that a lot of people who actually work in food safety have joined the group,” Sarah explained. “They often share helpful advice in the comments and have even settled a few arguments.”
Thanks to these food safety professionals, the group isn’t just a place for laughs and cringes anymore—it’s also becoming a space for educational content and kitchen hygiene tips. This mix of entertainment and expert insight is helping members learn what not to do when it comes to food prep and cleanliness.
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According to Sarah, the group’s busiest time of year is without a doubt American Thanksgiving.
“We usually get dozens of posts each day,” she said, “but around Thanksgiving, that jumps to nearly 100 posts a day.”
Why the spike? It’s the perfect storm: people are sharing their holiday food photos, visiting friends and relatives, and sneaking quick pictures of questionable dishes—or remembering past Thanksgiving potluck disasters and posting their horror stories.
The result? A flood of user-submitted content that ranges from funny to downright horrifying, making the group a must-follow during the holiday season.
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Of course, running a group filled with food fails isn’t always easy—especially for your appetite.
“I definitely have trust issues with food now,” Sarah admitted to Bored Panda. “When I eat at someone else’s home, I always offer to help cook or clean. That way, I can get a good look at their kitchen hygiene before I decide to eat anything.”
It’s a smart move, especially when you’ve seen the kind of home cooking disasters shared in the group. For Sarah, it’s not just about being polite—it’s about safe eating habits and knowing exactly where your food is coming from.
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These disgusting food hygiene fails don’t just happen at potlucks—they can pop up anywhere, including restaurants and buffets.
“I was at a buffet once and saw a child sneeze all over the lasagna tray, spreading germs everywhere,” Sarah recalled. “I told a staff member right away so they could throw it out and clean the area.”
But what happened next was shocking.
“I watched that tray like a hawk for 30 minutes—and no one touched it,” she said. “Eventually, I told a different staff member, and about five minutes later, they finally removed it. For all I know, they just took it to the back until I left so they could put it back out again.”
This story is a strong reminder of why food safety at buffets is so important—and why staying alert in shared dining spaces can help you avoid a serious case of food contamination.
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So, what can we do to make food safety and hygiene more common knowledge?
Sarah shared a thoughtful solution based on her past experience:
“When I worked in developmental services, we had to take a food safety certification course, and we had to renew it every few years,” she said. “I really believe it would be helpful if food safety training became a mandatory one- or two-day course in high school.”
By teaching proper food handling and hygiene habits early, we can help younger generations grow up with a stronger understanding of how to keep kitchens clean and food safe.
“It’s all about building good habits while they’re young,” Sarah added.
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So, what can we do to make food safety and hygiene more common knowledge?
Sarah shared a thoughtful solution based on her past experience:
“When I worked in developmental services, we had to take a food safety certification course, and we had to renew it every few years,” she said. “I really believe it would be helpful if food safety training became a mandatory one- or two-day course in high school.”
By teaching proper food handling and hygiene habits early, we can help younger generations grow up with a stronger understanding of how to keep kitchens clean and food safe.
“It’s all about building good habits while they’re young,” Sarah added.
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Feeling a little traumatized by these unappetizing food photos, pandas? We get it—and we’re not trying to scare you (well, maybe just a little). But it is a good reminder to think twice before digging into potluck dishes in the future!
If you’ve seen a dish that made your stomach turn, keep upvoting the pics that gave you the heebie-jeebies, and share your own food horror stories in the comments. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever seen served at a party or social gathering?
And if you’re brave enough for more, check out our other article featuring the same outrageous Facebook group, This Is Why I Don’t Do Potlucks, right here!
