"Tastes Strange"... Controversy Over Distribution of Chinese '2014 Production Date Mooncakes'

"The taste was distinctly different from this year's production"
Manufacturer claims "simple labeling error"

Mooncakes (Yuebing) labeled with a production date of 2014 have been widely distributed in China, sparking controversy.

Mooncakes are Chinese pastries made by mixing flour, lard, sugar, and eggs to create the dough, then filling it with nuts and other ingredients before shaping it in wooden molds and baking. Traditionally eaten as sacrificial food during the Mid-Autumn Festival since ancient times, they have gradually become a customary food or gift for the festival.

On the 28th, videos titled "Mooncakes past their expiration date" ranked high in real-time search results on Chinese portal sites such as Baidu, attracting attention.

The video uploader, Mr. A, who identified himself as the head of a technology company in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, stated, "On the 8th, I purchased 800 mooncakes from a famous local brand and shipped them to customers nationwide, only to later discover that the production date was 2014."

Mr. A learned of this fact from a customer who received the mooncakes and reported it. Upon checking the stored mooncakes, he found the packaging labeled with a production date of September 7, 2014. He added, "The mooncakes did not taste fresh or sweet, and the flavor was distinctly different from products made this year."

Wibing (Wolbyeong·Mooncake)

Mr. A expressed frustration that the company's image was damaged due to the problematic mooncakes, saying, "How would customers feel knowing that the gift sent to share the Mid-Autumn Festival spirit was actually a product from nine years ago?"

However, the manufacturer stated, "We will discuss compensation issues with Mr. A," but maintained that it was simply a labeling error regarding the production date.

The company explained, "Since the company was established in 2016, there is no way products from 2014 exist," and added, "All products in circulation were produced this year, so there are no quality issues."

They further stated, "The mistake occurred during the printing process of the production date on the packaging. Many consumers raised similar concerns, leading to a recall of the related products." However, they did not disclose how many of the problematic mooncakes were distributed or recalled.

Meanwhile, recently in Zhoukou, Henan Province, a woman posted a video on social media claiming that a metallic object resembling a gold ring was found inside a mooncake.

In response, Chinese citizens are calling for thorough investigations by authorities regarding the series of controversies surrounding mooncakes.