MasterChef viewers have once again expressed their concerns after noticing one glaring detail during the new Channel Ten season.
Fans of the cooking competition took to social media this week to complain about the show’s hygeine standards, especially when it comes to participants’ hair.
‘Ok we’re confirming the trend of food and workplace safety going downhill every year,’ wrote one viewer on X (formerly Twitter).
‘Why are we seeing hair in faces?! Why are we seeing HAIR TOUCHING? Why are we seeing bracelets, dangly earrings and RINGS? I know they’re home cooks but we’re not at home!’ the user continued.
Another viewer echoed this sentiment: ‘Whenever the dumplings arrive (if they actually do), I’m assuming the hero ingredient will be hair.’
MasterChef viewers have expressed their concerns with one glaring aspect of the show’s hygiene standards. Pictured: MasterChef contestant Harry Butterfield
Fans of the cooking competition took to social media this week to complain about how loose some of the contestants’ hair was while they prepared food. Pictured: contestant Snezana Calic
‘Hair. Nets,’ wrote another user on X, alongside hand clap emoji.
Concerns about the contestants’ hair were also ventilated on an online fan forum.
‘Please, please, please, somebody take hold of these contestants and put their hair out of the way of the food, I cringe watching it fall all over their faces. Pretty mop caps would be great,’ wrote one fan on the site.
‘That hair all over their faces is very annoying and not a good look around food,’ another forum poster agreed.
‘Ok we’re confirming the trend of food and workplace safety going downhill every year,’ wrote one viewer on X (formerly Twitter ), with many more posting in agreement
‘I have shoulder-length hair and if I forget to tie it back, I can guarantee there will be a hair in the food if I cook,’ another post read.
‘So there must be at least one hair in the food they make.’
Meanwhile, another fan suggested hair on top of the head shouldn’t be the only type that was covered.
‘And beard nets, please!’
‘Have never understood how their hair/beards are not covered,’ another poster agreed.
It’s not the first time fans have raised concerns regarding contestants for being ‘unhygienic’ in the kitchen.
Last season, one viewer started a thread on Reddit about the lack of ‘basic culinary hygiene’ on the series.
Concerns about the contestants’ hair were also ventilated on an online fan forum. ‘Somebody take hold of these contestants and put their hair out of the way of the food, I cringe watching it fall all over their faces’
They wrote: ‘Why does MasterChef make no effort to teach basic culinary hygiene? The contestants must look good I guess … I think it was Malissa kneading away and hand mixing her dough with a massive diamond ring on one hand.’
While some viewers didn’t agree that hairnets are necessary, some had a major issue with contestants using their fingers for tasting.
One person wrote: ‘I’m not calling for hairnets or anything but I do wish contestants would use any of the dozens of spoons provided for tasting, rather than dip their fingers in their sauce/creme anglaise/etc. then shove their fingers in their mouth.
‘Saw Malissa doing this recently and shuddered.’
Contestant Rue Mupedzi was also seen coughing as she was cooking.
Twenty-two contestants took to the screen on Monday to compete for the coveted title and the $250,000 cash prize.
Ten have also teased a mysterious ‘priceless prize’ for the lucky winner as they will be given as yet-unnamed opportunity of a lifetime.
MasterChef continues Sunday at 7:30pm on 10 and 10 Play.