Rat Falls from Ceiling While Eating Hotpot... Food Hygiene Issues Raised Again in China

Rat Falls from Ceiling at Hotpot Restaurant in Zhejiang, China
"Got Scratched on the Head by Rat," Received Medical Treatment

In China, where distrust in food safety is deepening due to a series of hygiene controversies, another food hygiene issue has arisen. This time, a video showing a rat falling over a customer's head while dining at a restaurant has sparked controversy.

A rat falling over the heads of men who were eating.
[Photo by Online Community]

According to reports from major foreign media on the 9th (local time), a customer named A who visited a hot pot restaurant in Zhejiang Province, eastern China, posted a video on his social networking service (SNS).

In the video, two male customers were dining when several rats suddenly fell from the ceiling. One of the rats fell right over a customer's head, causing the customers to panic and dodge. It is reported that A received medical treatment, saying he was "scratched on the head" by the rat.

Netizens who saw the video reacted with comments such as, "Is this a big hint to eat rat meat in hot pot?", "How bad is the hygiene?", and "We have entered an era where we need to wear helmets while eating."

The restaurant in question is currently reported to be closed. Local authorities are conducting an on-site investigation and stated they will "strengthen supervision of food production and public place safety."

A rat is seen biting and eating meat placed on a kitchen workbench at a Chinese hot pot chain restaurant.
[Photo by SNS]

Meanwhile, despite the authorities' promises to prevent recurrence, controversies related to hygiene continue, fueling ongoing concerns about food safety in China. In October, a video surfaced from a Qingdao beer factory in Pingdu City, Shandong Province, showing a man apparently urinating on malt, which sparked international controversy.

On the 2nd, a video circulated on SNS showing a rat eating raw meat placed on an open kitchen counter in a restaurant, causing further controversy. On the 12th, a victim publicized the fact that a two-year-old medicinal liquor containing seahorses was actually made with plastic seahorses after attempting to consume it.