SHANGHAI: One of China’s largest restaurant chains, Haidilao, has pledged to compensate thousands of customers following a viral video showing a diner urinating into a hotpot, sparking public outrage.
The incident, which took place in February at a Haidilao outlet in Shanghai, involved a young man standing on a table and urinating into a steaming pot of broth. The footage quickly spread online, triggering widespread disgust and criticism over food safety standards at the popular restaurant chain.
Haidilao issued a public apology on Wednesday, acknowledging its failure to anticipate or properly handle such an event. The company announced that all customers who placed orders at the affected branch between February 24 and March 8—more than 4,100 in total—would receive a full refund along with additional compensation worth ten times their original payment.
Local authorities confirmed that two 17-year-olds, identified by their surnames Tang and Wu, had been placed under administrative detention. While China’s criminal responsibility age is generally 16, it can be lowered to 12 for serious crimes.
Haidilao, known for its flavorful broths, high-quality ingredients, and attentive service, has expanded internationally to countries like the United States, Japan, and Britain. However, its delayed response to the scandal drew heavy criticism on social media, with users condemning the company for initially downplaying the incident.
China has significantly improved its food safety regulations since past scandals, such as the 2008 tainted milk crisis. However, reports of malpractice in the restaurant industry still emerge, with another major food chain recently caught using spoiled ingredients and recycling leftovers.
