Shanghai Internet celebrity restaurant fined 50,000 yuan for using nitrite illegally to improve the color of dishes. Excessive consumption of nitrites can cause cancer.
According to several media reports in Shanghai on November 19th, the Internet celebrity restaurant, Huama Paradise Yunnan Restaurant, has been adding nitrites to its “Seasoned Beef Tenderloin” and “Lemongrass Flavored Pork Chops” since April 1 of this year.
On April 25, a inspection report from the Shanghai Food Research Institute showed that the “Seasoned Beef Tenderloin” contained 23mg/kg of nitrites, while the “Lemongrass Flavored Pork Chops” contained 21mg/kg, resulting in failure to meet the standards.
The restaurant claimed that the addition of nitrites was to enhance the color of the dishes.
Following the incident, the remaining food additives sodium nitrite and the products exceeding the limits were destroyed.
The parent company of Huama Paradise Yunnan Restaurant, Shanghai Huama National Food and Beverage Management Co., Ltd., was fined 50,000 yuan for excessive use of food additives.
Public data shows that the harm of nitrites to the human body typically includes carcinogenic effects (stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, etc.), impacts on blood circulation (hypoxia, dizziness, fatigue, etc.), damage to the cardiovascular system (high blood pressure, heart disease, etc.), effects on the nervous system (headaches, insomnia, lack of concentration, etc.), and impacts on children and pregnant women (affecting children’s growth and development, leading to fetal deformities in pregnant women).
According to Tianyancha, Shanghai Huama National Food and Beverage Management Co., Ltd. was established in 2009 and holds trademarks such as Huama Paradise Yunnan Restaurant and Blue Phoenix. Their official website claims that Huama Paradise has long been listed as one of the “must-visit” restaurants by the Shanghai media.
Due to the frequent food safety issues in mainland China, this news has sparked heated discussions among netizens.
Netizen “Legend_of_the_Ape_Dog” commented, “Just a 50,000 yuan fine?”
“Celebrating_with_C” also said, “The punishment is too light, such cases should at least lead to a 3-month suspension and confiscation of the annual revenue to make the merchants feel the pain, so that other businesses dare not tamper with food safety.”
“KyleYang09” added, “Such cases should be heavily penalized and banned from the food industry. Without establishing authority, who would fear you?”
“Nyxlee777” expressed dissatisfaction with the authorities, stating, “What’s the difference between this punishment and no punishment? The EU standards are there, why not learn from the good practices?”
“Swannery” suggested, “Take control from the source. Otherwise, how much do we have to eat outside, not knowing what we are consuming every day.”