Chinese restaurant was punished for 'challenging' customers to eat 108 dumplings

Beijing [China], July 10: Authorities in Yibin city (Sichuan province, China) have opened an investigation into a restaurant in the city because it held a challenge to eat 108 dumplings in exchange for free meals and free meals. other rewards.
The reason for the investigation is to suspect that the Chinese restaurant violated the law against food waste in the country, according to CNN on July 9.
To attract more challenging customers, the restaurant (not named in the news) conducted extensive advertising on social networks. After learning about the above information, the China Market Administration announced to open an investigation.
While eating challenges are common in Western countries and can bring fame to restaurants, competitions like this can become a sensitive issue in China.
Many Chinese still have vivid memories of the famine of the 1950s and 1960s, which is estimated to have killed 45 million people.
The restaurant in Yibin is among those being investigated for food waste.
In March, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that agricultural supply chains were nothing more than the foundation of national security.
The main anti-food waste law comes into effect in 2021, following criticism from the Beijing government of bloggers who live-streamed scenes of them cramming food into their mouths indiscriminately to gain views. Many social media user accounts have been blocked for this reason.
According to the law, restaurant owners can face fines of up to 10,000 yuan (nearly VND 33 million) if they induce or trick customers into ordering food, causing substantial waste.
Radio and television stations, as well as online video and radio broadcasting platforms, face fines 10 times higher than that if found to be involved in content creation, distribution, and promotion of content. programs or messages promoting binge eating.
Some social media users say that while fighting food waste is necessary, Chinese authorities should focus more on food safety, following the country's infant formula scandals. em and "dirty" cooking oil.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper