Book-Burning Immortal Grass Bubble Tea Chain Under Fire for China Food Safety Violations
Book-Burning Immortal Grass, a popular bubble tea chain in China, has been under fire recently after a 315 evening gala program exposed violations of food safety standards at one of its stores in Wuhan. The revelations, which include frequent alterations of expiration dates on food products, use of overnight ingredients, and even tasting food to determine if it has gone bad, have led to widespread criticism and prompted the company to issue an apology. On March 14th, the 315 evening gala on Chinese state broadcaster CCTV revealed that the Wuhan Plum Tree Mall branch of Book-Burning Immortal Grass, as well as two other popular bubble tea chains, were found to be operating in violation of food safety rules. The gala highlighted that the store employees were guilty of altering expiration dates on products, using overnight ingredients, and resorting to tasting food to determine if it was "spoiled." In response to the exposé, Book-Burning Immortal Grass' headquarters issued an apology on social media platform Weibo, stating, "Dear media friends, we want to express our sincere apologies for the food safety issues exposed at our store.
15 March 2024
We are taking this matter seriously and have already started an in-depth investigation." The statement added that as a franchised chain, the company acknowledges its responsibility to monitor franchise stores and admitted to shortcomings in oversight. In recent years, Book-Burning Immortal Grass has rapidly expanded throughout China, with over 1,000 stores nationwide.
The company has become known for its affordable prices, flavored bubble teas, and strong social media presence. However, the revelations of food safety violations have tarnished the brand's image and left many consumers skeptical about the quality and safety of their products. Following the apology, Book-Burning Immortal Grass announced that it was taking immediate action to address the issues raised by the 315 gala. In a follow-up statement on Weibo, the company said, "We have already taken decisive measures to rectify the problems and are conducting a thorough investigation. We apologize for the negative impact this has had on our customers and promise to strengthen our food safety management in the future."
The issue of food safety violations is not new in China, with several high-profile cases making headlines in recent years. In 2018, a major scandal involving Sanlu Group, a leading Chinese dairy company, exposed the presence of melamine in its infant formula, which led to the sickness of thousands of babies across the country.
In another case, the popular food delivery platform Ele.me was accused of allowing restaurants with poor hygiene ratings to continue using its platform without proper oversight. The 315 gala, which is held annually in China to coincide with World Consumer Rights Day on March 15th, has become a platform for exposing corporate malpractice and fraudulent behavior. The event has helped to raise awareness about consumer rights and has prompted authorities to take action against offending companies.
Book-Burning Immortal Grass' food safety scandal has sparked a heated debate on Chinese social media, with many users expressing shock and disappointment at the revelations. "I used to drink Book-Burning Immortal Grass all the time, but now I'm worried about the quality of their products," one user commented on Weibo. Another user echoed similar concerns, writing, "How can we trust any food products when companies engage in such shady practices?
The government needs to step up its monitoring efforts to ensure that consumers are protected from these kinds of abuses." As Book-Burning Immortal Grass grapples with the fallout from the food safety scandal, the company faces an uphill battle to regain the trust of its customers.
However, with a renewed commitment to improving its food safety standards and addressing the shortcomings exposed by the 315 gala, the company may be able to turn the tide and emerge from this crisis stronger and more resilient than ever before. In conclusion, the revelations of food safety violations at Book-Burning Immortal Grass' Wuhan store have highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by China's food industry. The incident serves as a wake-up call to both consumers and regulators alike, emphasizing the need for greater vigilance and stronger enforcement of food safety laws. While Book-Burning Immortal Grass' apology and promise of reform may assuage some concerns, only time will tell if the company can truly transform its operations and regain the trust of its customers.