‘5-second rule’: Licked fingers have a Florida family rethinking their DoorDash decisions

A family in Clay County, Florida, got more than they bargained for after a shocking DoorDash delivery captured by a home door cam showed alleged food-handling misconduct.

In the viral video — shared by homeowner Trena Brown with local news outlet News4JAX — the delivery driver can be seen dropping a container of boneless wings at the family’s doorstep. As the lid pops open, one wing falls to the ground. The driver picks it up, tosses it back into the container, then — in a disturbing turn — licks his fingers, rubs the ground with his foot as if to get rid of the stain, and walks away. “Just disgusting,” Brown told News4JAX after rewatching the footage. “It’s disgusting.”

“Omg! So disgusting”

As News4Jax reports, Brown said that luckily, the hungry household viewed the video before eating the food. She said all the driver had to do was knock on the door and admit that he dropped one wing on the ground.

“If he can’t deliver food with due care, then maybe there’s something else out there for him to do. Secondly, on DoorDash’s behalf, I’m not sure what the training is,” but maybe it’s time to bring the drivers in and train them on what to do if that happens, she told the outlet.

The disturbing clip quickly spread online, prompting widespread outcry, as some viewers asked whether this counts as the infamous “five-second rule,” or worse: blatant disregard for food safety.

On X comment noted, “Omg! So disgusting. This is definitely the biggest concern of food delivery. Every restaurant should have to seal the food somehow.”

Another added, “You shouldn’t order DoorDash if you don’t have a door camera — it should be a requirement. It could solve a lot of disputes. DoorDash should partner with Ring Cam.”

“Well below the level of service”

Following the airing of the video, DoorDash responded. In a statement to News4JAX, the company said the driver’s actions “are well below the level of service we aim to provide on every delivery” and stressed the behavior is “certainly not the experience we want customers to have when they order dinner.” The company confirmed it has launched an investigation and issued a warning.

DoorDash’s recent “Community Guidelines,” rolled out in April 2025, emphasize safety and respect — and prohibit any behavior that could compromise food safety. When violations occur, DoorDash says it uses a graduated enforcement system: first-time or isolated offences may result in warnings. Severe or repeated misconduct can lead to the deactivation of a Dasher’s account. For the Brown family at least, the damage was done: Brown said she has not ordered DoorDash since the incident.