Introduction:The new-style tea brand Yihetang has recently been embroiled in frequent food safety issues, not only found using expired ingredients but also with a consumer discovering a 7-centimeter machine part in their milk tea. This article delves into the incident, the brand’s response, the consumer rights process, and offers practical advice to help readers avoid potential food safety risks while enjoying coffee and milk tea.
In recent years, the coffee and milk tea markets have flourished, becoming an indispensable part of many young people’s daily social lives. However, this growth has been accompanied by recurring food safety issues, raising concerns among consumers about the hygiene of affordable beverages. Recently, the well-known tea brand Yihetang has once again been caught up in a food safety controversy, drawing widespread public attention.
On May 6, Yihetang trended on Weibo for using expired and moldy ingredients, and on the same day, another incident involving a foreign object in milk tea reignited discussions. It was reported that a woman in Foshan, Guangdong, ordered takeout milk tea from Yihetang and was shocked to find a7-centimetermachine part in her drink, with black stains on its surface, raising serious doubts about the beverage’s preparation process.
The consumer ordered two cups of Yihetang milk tea through a delivery platform and immediately contacted the merchant after discovering the foreign object. Yihetang admitted that the part was from the powder outlet of their in-store machine, but initially offered only500 yuanin compensation, which the consumer refused to accept. The merchant then suggested the consumer seek reimbursement through the delivery platform’s insurance, which was seen as an attempt to evade responsibility.
Faced with the merchant’s attitude, Ms. Xiaoyan filed a complaint with the 12315 consumer hotline on May 5. After investigation and negotiation, Yihetang’s official customer service responded on May 6, stating that the incident had been reported to the relevant regional manager for handling. By May 7, according to media reports, both parties reached an agreement, with Yihetang compensating the consumer1000 yuan.
This incident is not an isolated case. Yihetang has also been exposed for serious food safety hazards at some of its Zhengzhou outlets. Media investigations revealed that staff at certain stores showed a lax attitude toward food safety, with one even making the inappropriate remark, “As long as it doesn’t kill you, it’s fine,” sparking strong public backlash. Although the brand later issued an apology and pledged to rectify the involved stores, the damage to its brand image has been difficult to reverse.
New-style tea brands are often popular for their affordable prices and diverse flavors, but food safety is non-negotiable. While the franchise model allows for rapid expansion, it also places higher demands on the
For consumers, when choosing beverages, in addition to paying attention to taste and price, it is even more important to be mindful of the hygiene conditions of the establishment and the customer service attitude. If any foreign objects or suspected food safety issues are discovered, they should be reported to the business immediately, and relevant evidence should be retained. If necessary, complaints can be made through official channels or by dialing 12315 to protect one’s own rights.
Food safety is the cornerstone of the catering industry. Regardless of brand size, consumer health should always be the top priority. Affordable pricing should never be used as an excuse for quality and hygiene issues. Only by strictly managing every step of the process can we ensure that consumers can enjoy delicious coffee and tea without worrying about health risks.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
