Authorities warn people to not eat chicken tenders spilled on roadside

Back off, cheapskates.
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Authorities warn people to not eat chicken tenders spilled on roadside
Free chicken tenders are appealing, but maybe not if they've been sitting on a road. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

We get it, cheapskates, free food is hard to resist.

Especially when it comes in the form of delicious chicken tenders, but Alabama authorities have warned people to not eat any from boxes that were spilled from a 18-wheeler truck on Sunday.

The crash on Highway 35 in Cherokee County prompted motorists to stop and pick up the truckload of spilled tenders, according to the Associated Press.

Quick to say nope was the Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency, who warned on Facebook that it's a crime to stop and impede the flow of traffic with your chicken tender pilfering efforts.

The agency also cautioned that the cases of tenders had been on the ground for more than 24 hours, and are thus unsafe to eat. Food poisoning ain't fun, people.

According to one commenter on the post, the exact location of where to get the free chicken was shared on the Dekalb Buy and Sell Facebook page.

"All the people commenting and the guy that posted it were so serious," the commenter wrote. Seems like they weren't the only ones who were keen.

If the roadside, likely off chicken wasn't enough to deter people from trying to get it — as of Monday, there was none left.

The spill had been cleaned up, according to another Facebook post by the Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency.

So, if you scored some of the free roadside chicken tenders, maybe put it in the bin, not your mouth.

Mashable Image
Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You

The Muppets have always known how to break the internet
Disney’s “The Muppet Show” stars Sabrina Carpenter and the original Muppet cast

The AI industry has a big Chicken Little problem
men line up outside a breadline during the great depression


'How to Make a Killing' review: Glen Powell stars in A24's eat-the-rich comedy
Glen Powell stars as Becket Redfellow in "How to Make a Killing."

More in Life
How to watch Chelsea vs. Port Vale online for free
Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea reacts

How to watch 'Wuthering Heights' at home: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi's controversial romance now streaming
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi embracing in still from "Wuthering Heights"

How to watch New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers online for free
Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders warms up

How to watch Mexico vs. Belgium online for free
Israel Reyes of Mexico reacts

How to watch Brazil vs. Croatia online for free
Vinicius Junior #10 of Brazil leaves

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 2, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone


What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!