Changsha Century-Old Bun Shop Suspends Operations After Staff Caught Cutting Toenails on Counter
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A video showing an employee at Qingquange (清泉閣), a renowned century-old bun shop in Changsha's Kaifu District, Hunan Province, cutting toenails on a kitchen preparation table went viral on September 29, sparking widespread public outrage. The shop issued an apology video on September 30, acknowledging supervisory lapses and management failures. Market supervision authorities in Kaifu District responded swiftly, ordering the store to immediately cease operations for comprehensive rectification.
Key Points
- On September 29, a customer filmed a male employee at Qingquange bun shop sitting with his back to diners, placing one foot on the preparation counter while trimming his toenails with clippers
- A customer captured the incident on video, immediately cancelled their order, and posted the footage online with the comment: "Look what this person is doing"
- Qingquange issued an apology video on September 30, stating the incident "seriously violated food safety red lines" and expressing "deep self-blame and shame"
- The shop announced immediate suspension starting September 30 for comprehensive deep cleaning, including all countertops, tables, kitchenware, walls, and floors
- Kaifu District market supervision authorities conducted on-site inspection on September 30, issued a rectification notice, and ordered the store to cease operations for rectification
Why It Matters
This incident strikes at the core of food safety expectations in China's booming food service industry. Qingquange, which leveraged internet marketing to transform from a traditional local brand into a popular internet-famous destination, now faces severe reputational damage. The incident highlights how quickly viral exposure can force accountability, but also underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining hygiene standards at popular eateries, particularly as traditional establishments struggle to adapt to modern operational expectations while preserving their heritage .
This incident strikes at the core of food safety expectations in China's booming food service industry. Qingquange, which leveraged internet marketing to transform from a traditional local brand into a popular internet-famous destination, now faces severe reputational damage. The incident highlights how quickly viral exposure can force accountability, but also underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining hygiene standards at popular eateries, particularly as traditional establishments struggle to adapt to modern operational expectations while preserving their heritage .