In Yunnan, JiāHuá Food has been embroiled in food safety and labor disputes. A screenshot circulating online alleges that students making flower cakes work 12 hours a day for only 50 yuan (RMB), with some individuals even spitting into the cakes. However, these claims have not been confirmed.
Recently, a screenshot labeled “internal news” has been circulating on social media platforms. It states: “We were sent by the school to work at Jiā X in Yunnan to make flower cakes, working 12 hours a day for 50 yuan. We all spit into the flower cakes.”
Flower cakes are a Yunnan specialty pastry filled with edible flowers. The screenshot did not specify the full names of the company and school, nor did it include payroll certificates or on-site production information. Netizens have associated the information with JiāHuá Food Co., Ltd. based on clues like “Jiā X”.
Public records show that JiāHuá was established in 1993 and is headquartered in Kunming, with nearly 300 chain stores in Yunnan operating under brands like “JiāHuá Biscuit House” and “JiāHuá Flower Cake”.
Reports indicate that the original account and time of the screenshot have not been identified. The identity of the poster, the school they attend, and whether they have been to the JiāHuá factory have also not been confirmed.
Local labor inspection authorities have intervened, but details such as the source of personnel, the nature of the work, and the organizational structure are still pending verification. As of September 9th, there has been no official notification from local government or police through public channels.
Chen Kai, a lawyer at the Beijing Gaopeng (Nanjing) Law Firm, stated that labor disputes and food safety are two separate issues, and unfair treatment cannot justify food contamination. If the food contamination allegations are true, individuals and companies involved may be held accountable. If the post is fabricated, the poster may also face consequences.
JiāHuá has denied the online content and stated that the company has not established internships with schools, nor has any school dispatched students for on-site job training.
A report by “The Paper” on September 9th cited unnamed “relevant sources” claiming that the content of the circulated screenshot is false and that the company did not recruit students. The report did not disclose the identity of the sources, the investigation process, verification basis, or monitoring results.
During visits by mainland media, a tourist who had just purchased flower cakes expressed upon hearing the news: “If this is true, I definitely won’t buy them.” Ms. Zhao, a visitor from Hebei, hoped that the relevant parties would investigate and disclose the results promptly.
In a commentary by the “Xinmin Evening News”, it was stated: “Both the 12-hour workday and the spitting issue should be investigated. The former concerns the dignity of workers, while the latter relates to consumer safety and cannot be brushed off with a simple ‘non-existent’.”
A netizen on Weibo commented: “I used to often buy JiāHuá Flower Cakes… If this is true, it’s a disaster…”
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The allegations surrounding JiāHuá Food have raised concerns about both labor practices and food safety in the region. The potential exploitation of students and the unsanitary practices reported are serious issues that need to be thoroughly investigated to uphold justice and accountability.
The intersection of labor rights and food production ethics underscores the importance of transparency and accountability within the food industry. Consumers have a right to know the conditions under which their food is produced and the treatment of those involved in its manufacturing process.
Efforts to verify the claims made in the screenshot and determine the truth behind the allegations are crucial steps towards addressing any potential violations and safeguarding the reputation and integrity of the company.
As public scrutiny increases, it is imperative for authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation that leaves no stone unturned in uncovering the facts surrounding the situation at JiāHuá Food and ensuring appropriate actions are taken based on the findings.