Chinese Government Announces 'Zero Tolerance Strict Measures' Following Business Suspension
A video showing a rat gnawing on meat used as an ingredient at a hot pot chain in China has sparked controversy. Amid ongoing food hygiene issues, the Chinese government has announced it will take strict action against the hot pot chain.
A rat is seen gnawing on meat placed on a kitchen countertop at a Chinese hot pot chain restaurant. [Image source=Online media ixigua]
On the 2nd (local time), according to Xin Jing Bao (新京報) and China Central Television (CCTV), a video was posted on a local food delivery platform on the 28th of last month showing a rat gnawing on raw meat placed on an open kitchen counter at a restaurant. The netizen who posted the video wrote, "At a hot pot chain located in Wenzhou City, Yueqing, Zhejiang Province, China, the meat was left in this condition continuously," adding, "It was really unpleasant."
As the video spread and local authorities launched an investigation, it was found that the restaurant in question is a hot pot specialty chain with about 10 stores only in Wenzhou City, operating under the slogan "Beef slaughtered and sold on the same day."
A rat is seen gnawing on meat placed on a kitchen countertop at a Chinese hot pot chain restaurant. [Image source=Online media ixigua]
The Yueqing City Market Supervision Administration confiscated and destroyed all the meat ingredients from the chain and issued a business suspension order. The Market Supervision Administration stated, "After investigation and verification, lawsuits have been filed against the relevant parties," emphasizing, "This matter will be handled strictly in accordance with laws and regulations following investigation. We will apply a zero-tolerance policy to acts that threaten food safety."
The hot pot chain headquarters sent warning notices to all franchise stores except the suspended one and demanded strict disinfection procedures. A representative from the headquarters said, "It is understood that the rat climbed onto the counter and ate the meat that had just been delivered to the store in the morning and was temporarily placed there for preparation," adding, "The problematic store has only been operating for about three years." It is reported that discussions are still ongoing regarding what responsibilities will be assigned to the franchise.
A worker at the Qingdao 3rd factory is seen urinating on beer raw materials stored outdoors. [Photo by Weibo]
Food hygiene issues have been continuously emerging in China recently. In October, a video showing a man apparently urinating on malt at the Qingdao Beer factory in Pingdu City, Shandong Province, sparked international controversy.
Qingdao clarified that the worker in the video was not a regular employee but a subcontractor, and the urination took place outdoors in a malt transport vehicle cargo area, not inside the factory. The company also stated, "This revealed a loophole in our raw material transport management," and added, "All raw material transport vehicles will be sealed to prevent employee contact with raw materials, and internal management has been comprehensively strengthened."
Beer K, the domestic importer of Qingdao, also stated immediately after the controversy, "This is not a factory producing beer imported domestically," and "To verify the safety of imported Qingdao products, all products at the pre-shipment stage will undergo detailed inspections by food hygiene testing agencies designated by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the results will be announced."
However, despite these explanations, Qingdao's domestic sales dropped sharply from 12.5 billion KRW in September to 6.6 billion KRW in October. Considering that China's beer import volume in November decreased by more than 40% compared to the previous month, Qingdao's sales slump is expected to continue for the time being.
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