Journalists dissecting duck heads and peeling out the sclera

Long Form News Article: Duck Eyeball Sclera Controversy Rocks Chinese Vocational School

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19 July 2023

A disturbing incident at a vocational school in Guangzhou has sparked outrage among netizens, after students claimed to have found a foreign object in their canteen meal. The object, identified as duck eyeball sclera by the contracting company responsible for the canteen, has ignited heated discussions on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

In response to the incident, many netizens have questioned the feasibility of a foreign body the size of a bean grain being present in a duck eye. Some argue that it is impossible for such a large object to be hidden within the small space of a duck's eye. The sclera, or outermost fibrous membrane of the eyeball, has a reflective texture similar to plastic or transparent rubber, making it hard to tear and prone to being torn off when forcibly removed.

The incident has led to concerns about food safety in China's schools, with some calling for greater scrutiny of canteen operations. Amidst this controversy, a chef was wrongfully accused and fired. Netizens have demanded the reinstatement of the chef, arguing that he should not be held responsible for an incident beyond his control.

The debate has become increasingly heated, with some Weibo users questioning the authenticity of the duck eyeball sclera claim. Comments such as "As long as it's not a 'rat for a duck'," and "What? Does anyone really believe it's a fish's eye when they think it's a duck's eye?" demonstrate the skepticism among some netizens.

This is not the first time that food safety concerns have been raised in China. In the past, scandals involving rats in noodles and other questionable ingredients have sparked widespread outrage. The duck eyeball sclera controversy highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the food industry, particularly within school canteens.

The incident has also given rise to a number of humorous responses on Weibo, with some users joking about the potential presence of