Toxic shock: Chinese restaurant filmed spraying carcinogenic paint on meat skewers for barbecue

“Maybe they used liquid nitrogen to keep food fresh,” said another.

The spray was found to be carcinogenic paint, according to the results of an inspection conducted by the local branch of the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Market Supervision Administration.

Three cans labeled “high quality spray paint” were found in the restaurant. The product typically used on steel and mirrors, according to Taobao.

Its main component is acrylic acid, classified as a group 3 carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

Taobao is the largest e-commerce platform in China and is operated by the Alibaba Group, which owns the South China Morning Post.

The restaurant owner said staff sprayed skewer sticks to differentiate promotional giveaways from regular sales.

Chinese barbecue restaurants typically charge their customers based on the number of skewers used during the meal, but online observers objected to the use of spray paint as a price tag, noting that some restaurants cut sticks of barbecue instead. different forms.

“I must sincerely apologize to our customers for the spraying incident,” the restaurant owner said in a Douyin video, before blaming a “new employee,” saying the individual had purchased the painting independently.

“Previously, we took protective measures during spraying, but this time there was a lack of management,” the owner said, adding that the employee was fired.

The painted skewers had not been cooked or distributed to the market, according to a May 22 report from the State Administration for Market Regulation and Market Supervision Administration.

But the public remains skeptical.

“Could it be that the meat offered is not fresh, hence the need to mark it? asked an online observer.

“The employee bought the spray paint with his own money?” It’s ridiculous. This must have been at the boss’s request,” said another.

The barbecue restaurant has since been closed by authorities.

Barbecue plays an essential role in Chinese cuisine and culture. The food is valued for its distinctive flavor and the activity is a popular and egalitarian form of socialization.

According to a report from Guotai Junan Securities, Chinese barbecue is second only to hot pot as the preferred option for late-night dining.

The value of China’s barbecue market is expected to reach nearly 400 billion yuan ($55 billion) by 2026, according to a China Daily report.

Over the years, the Chinese government has issued advisories aimed at eliminating food safety risks associated with barbecue.

“The highest standards, the most rigorous regulations, the most severe penalties and the most serious accountability must be applied to resolve food safety issues,” the central government said in March 2024.