Introduction:The Shanghai Wujing Road branch of MANNER Coffee was exposed for environmental and food safety hazards during a surprise inspection, sparking consumer concerns. This article delves into the specific issues at the involved outlet, including improper storage of liquid milk and inadequate floor cleanliness, and explores how the brand can balance quality control and trust while expanding.
As Shanghai gradually returns to normal life, being able to conveniently order a takeaway coffee nearby has become a small joy for many residents. However, a well-known chain brand, MANNER, had one of its Shanghai Wujing Road outlets found during a surprise inspection by market regulators to have subpar hygiene and non-compliant food storage practices. On May 23, it became the subject of an official investigation, quickly becoming a hot topic online.
On May 24, MANNER issued an apology statement on its official Weibo account, admitting that during the supply support distribution period on April 30, there were irregularities in the milk retrieval process and untimely removal of food safety seal backing paper. It also stated that the involved outlet had been immediately closed for rectification. However, some consumers and industry experts felt the apology failed to directly address core issues—such as potential food contamination from floor grime—and accused it of dodging the main concerns.
The incident originated from an on-site inspection by the Jing'an District Market Supervision and Administration Bureau of Shanghai. According to reports, inspectors found not only poor hygiene at the outlet but also multiple food storage practices that did not meet regulations. Despite a surge in takeaway orders that day, it is even more critical during busy periods to uphold the basic promise of “providing high-quality coffee.”
Some netizens noted after observing the statement that its tone seemed to imply the brand had great confidence in its product quality, yet it failed to effectively address consumer concerns about food safety.
Industry experts also voiced criticism. Zhu Danpeng, a researcher at the China Brand Research Institute, pointed out in a media interview that MANNER’s response approach had clear problems, with the company attempting to cover up management and operational lapses by shifting concepts and avoiding core issues.
According to a notice issued by the Shanghai Market Supervision Administration on May 22, inspectors found multiple problems during their check of MANNER COFFEE Shanghai Yinhe Industrial Co., Ltd.’s Wujing Road Branch 1, including poor hygiene and improper food storage. The on-site situation showed that the floor of the food processing area was littered with discarded packaging paper and stickers, with visible grime on the flooring. Some packaged but unsold food bags were even placed directly on the ground, posing obvious contamination risks.
More concerning was that two boxes of “Meiji Milk,” which require refrigeration, were left casually on the floor after being unpacked, while another seven unopened boxes of “Meiji Milk” were placed on the ground outside the store and were not stored at the required 2°C to 6°C temperature range as indicated on the product label. These details could directly impact the safety of ingredients used in coffee preparation and the final beverage quality.
Notably, in its official response, MANNER only briefly mentioned “not promptly and properly retrieving milk stored at 2°C to 6°C” and “not timely removing extra food safety seal backing paper,” but did not explain the food safety risks such as improper milk storage conditions or potential contamination from floor grime. As a result, it was criticized by the public for dodging the main issues.
As a pioneer of the boutique café model in China, MANNER has attracted market attention since its founding in 2015 with its unique store style and coffee experience. However, as industry giants such as China Petroleum, China Post, Tongrentang, and Li-Ning have successively entered the coffee market, competition has intensified. In such an environment, if MANNER wishes to maintain its brand edge and continue expanding, in addition to product and service innovation, food safety is a foundational and core aspect that cannot be overlooked.
This food safety incident is not just a brand crisis but also serves as a wake-up call for the entire coffee industry: while pursuing scale and speed, ensuring that every cup of coffee meets safety standards at every stage—from ingredient to serving—is a key challenge for long-term brand development.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
