"Guest Horrified as Rat Eats Dumplings... Hygiene Controversy at 144-Year-Old Chinese Dim Sum Restaurant"

Food Safety Authorities Conduct On-Site Inspection
Multiple Food Hygiene Issues Discovered

Authorities have launched an investigation after a rat was caught eating dim sum at a dim sum restaurant in China with a 100-year tradition.

A rat is eating food at a famous dim sum restaurant in China.
[Image source=Douyin]

According to Chinese media including Xinhua News on the 10th, a rat was found in the kitchen on the first floor of the main branch of the dim sum specialty restaurant "Taotaoju" (陶陶居) in Liwan, Guangzhou City, China, on the 29th of last month. The controversy grew after a customer who witnessed the scene recorded a video and shared it online. The shared video shows a rat crawling around the kitchen, climbing onto a steamer, and nibbling on the dim sum inside. However, the shock was intensified as no staff member was seen responding to the situation.

The restaurant, which opened in 1880, boasts a 144-year history and is a famous Cantonese cuisine specialty restaurant. It was designated as a national top-grade restaurant in China in 1997 and is especially known for its dim sum and mooncakes. It has franchise stores throughout China. As the controversy grew, the restaurant explained, "The incident occurred because the lid was not properly closed while the staff were away," and "After reviewing the closed-circuit television (CCTV), it was determined that the rat entered through the ventilation duct." The restaurant stated that after the incident, they immediately discarded the food, ingredients, and kitchen utensils and thoroughly disinfected the kitchen. They also announced that related staff were suspended from duty and responsible personnel were disciplined.

A rat is eating food at a famous dim sum restaurant in China.
[Image source=Douyin]

However, Xi Qian, director of the Green Finance International Research Institute at the Central University of Finance and Economics, told local media, "This incident has caused consumers to have some doubts about Taotaoju's brand value," and pointed out, "Rebuilding the brand reputation will require long-term efforts."

Local food safety authorities have also launched an on-site investigation into the company to determine whether food safety regulations were violated. However, local media reported that the Guangzhou Market Supervision Administration did not respond regarding any administrative sanctions imposed on the restaurant.

This is not the first time food hygiene issues such as rat appearances have surfaced in Chinese restaurants. On the 17th of last month, a video was recorded at a butcher shop in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, in northeastern China, showing a rat climbing onto a tray filled with meat and nibbling on it. In November last year, a rat was caught eating beef placed on a workbench at a hot pot restaurant in Zhejiang Province in eastern China. In December of the same year, at another hot pot restaurant in Zhejiang Province, a live rat fell onto a customer's head while they were dining.