Bullet in the Bird: Sam's Club Faces Backlash Over Food Safety Concerns in China

According to a report by Southern Metropolis Daily, on August 18, a customer surnamed Zhang purchased a roasted chicken from Sam's Club in Shenzhen and discovered a bullet-shaped metal object while eating it. Zhang immediately contacted the store and submitted photos of the object as evidence.

However, the store's response was met with skepticism by Zhang and many netizens. Sam's Club claimed that their supplier's machinery did not have such a component, and that their production process was problem-free. The store offered to refund Zhang for the single product, but he refused, demanding a more satisfactory explanation for the origin of the metal object.

Weibo users were quick to react to the news, with many expressing shock and disgust. "This is a bit frightening, isn't it? Sam's Club needs to investigate thoroughly!" wrote one user. Another user quipped, "It seems like you're not just buying chicken, you're buying a real bullet!" Some users questioned the store's food handling practices, asking, "What kind of tools are you using to handle the chickens that there's a bullet-shaped object?"

Others took the opportunity to air their grievances about the store's food safety record. "I don't understand why people are willing to line up for Sam's Club's roasted chicken. It's all pre-packaged food, anyway," wrote one user. Another user remarked, "As an American brand, it's not surprising that there's a bullet in the chicken."

According to a search on the Black Cat complaint platform, multiple consumers have reported food safety issues with Sam's Club's roasted chicken, including cases of food poisoning and the discovery of metal objects. In November 2023, a consumer reported finding a steel needle in their roasted chicken.

This is not the first time Sam's Club has faced criticism over food safety. In recent years, the store has been fined at least 20 times by regulatory authorities for issues such as food spoilage, adulteration, and mislabeling.

When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for Sam's Club stated that the store had launched an investigation into the incident and would cooperate with regulatory authorities. However, the store's response has done little to alleviate concerns among consumers.

An industry insider told reporters that food processing involves multiple steps, and metal objects can potentially enter the food supply chain at any point, whether through human error, intentional acts, or equipment wear and tear. The insider noted that regular food manufacturers typically equip metal detection devices to prevent such incidents, making it unlikely that a large metal object would go undetected.

However, the insider also pointed out that it is impossible to determine at which stage the metal object entered the food supply chain without further investigation.

The Shenzhen Municipal Market Supervision and Regulation Bureau's Nanshan branch told reporters that the matter would be handled according to regulations, and that the consumer should file a complaint through the 12315 or 12345 hotline.

As the investigation into the incident continues, consumers remain wary of Sam's Club's food safety record. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of strict food safety protocols and transparency in the food industry.