Hotpot Chain Forced to Compensate 4,000 Customers After Viral Video of Teenagers Urinating in Broth
A Disturbing Dining Experience: Haidilao’s Hotpot Contamination Scandal
When you go out to eat, you expect to enjoy your meal in a clean, safe, and hygienic environment. The quality of food, restaurant sanitation, and respect among diners are fundamental expectations. However, what happens when an unimaginable incident unfolds, and no one is aware until a shocking video spreads like wildfire across the internet?
Sadly, this exact scenario played out at a Shanghai branch of Haidilao, China’s largest hotpot restaurant chain, where two teenage diners filmed themselves urinating into a broth intended for consumption. The horrifying event not only raised concerns about food safety but also sparked a massive debate on social media regarding restaurant security, staff training, and customer rights. Many customers have since questioned how a high-profile restaurant chain like Haidilao could have overlooked such a critical incident, and whether more stringent health regulations should be enforced in similar dining establishments.
The Viral Video That Shocked Thousands
The alarming footage, which surfaced online last month, captured two 17-year-old boys standing on a table inside a private dining room at Haidilao, urinating directly into the hotpot broth. This reckless act, recorded and shared on social media, quickly ignited public outrage, forcing the restaurant chain to take immediate action.
Social media platforms were soon flooded with reactions from angry customers, with users questioning the hygiene standards and safety protocols of one of China’s most renowned dining establishments. Shanghai Daily reported on the incident, and netizens debated whether restaurant hygiene policies should be stricter. Some users went as far as to suggest mandatory health inspections after any reported food contamination incident. Others argued that staff members should have detected and intervened before the act was carried out.
The video, which was initially shared on Weibo and later spread to TikTok and Twitter, has garnered millions of views, with heated discussions surrounding restaurant accountability. Some users even compared this incident to past food scandals, calling for improved transparency in the industry.
Haidilao’s Response: Apology and Compensation to 4,000 Customers
Following the video’s viral spread, Haidilao’s management issued a formal apology and pledged to compensate 4,000 customers who dined at the restaurant between February 24 and March 8. The restaurant assured patrons that all hotpot equipment, including pots, dishes, and utensils, had been replaced in response to the shocking event.
In an official statement shared on social media, Haidilao acknowledged its failure to address such unprecedented behavior:
“In the early hours of February 24, two individuals urinated into a hotpot after dining in a private room at a Haidilao branch on the Bund in Shanghai. As management had never made contingency plans or provided training for handling this kind of incident, our staff was unable to detect any abnormalities at the time or uphold the safety of the dining environment.”
Recognizing the distress caused, Haidilao promised full refunds to all affected customers and announced additional compensation. According to the company, each affected diner would receive a cash reimbursement amounting to ten times the value of their meal.
The announcement, however, did not immediately calm the public. Many customers demanded that the restaurant take additional preventive measures, such as installing surveillance cameras in private dining rooms or implementing strict staff monitoring policies. Critics of the compensation plan also questioned whether it was an adequate response to the deep concerns raised about food safety and consumer trust. With increasing pressure from health officials and the media, Haidilao is now under scrutiny to prove its commitment to food safety and customer well-being.
Social Media Reactions and Viral Posts
The scandal has sparked an online frenzy, with thousands of users expressing outrage and concern over food hygiene in restaurants. Below are some social media reactions and discussions surrounding the incident:
📢 Shanghai Daily reports on the incident and police action:
Shanghai Daily on Twitter
📢 Users express their disgust and demand stricter hygiene protocols:
Weibo discussion thread
📢 Food safety experts weigh in on the potential health risks:
WHO’s take on food contamination
📢 Customers debate whether they would return to Haidilao:
Reddit discussion on r/foodscandals
Two boys have been detained by Shanghai police for allegedly urinating into a hotpot at an outlet of famous restaurant #Haidilao, police officers announced on Saturday.
— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) March 8, 2025
In the video, the man also laughed and said that the restaurant, Haidilao, China's hotpot chain, had launched a… pic.twitter.com/WeT0QSliDH
Many social media users have also criticized Haidilao’s handling of the situation, arguing that issuing refunds and compensation is not enough to restore public trust. Some have demanded that the company implement real changes, such as mandatory food safety audits and better staff training, to prevent similar incidents. Others have pointed out that this scandal is reflective of larger problems in the restaurant industry, where customer safety is often compromised. With the growing reach of social media, these concerns have amplified and put immense pressure on Haidilao to respond more decisively.
The Teenagers’ Fate: Legal Consequences and Public Outrage
Authorities wasted no time in responding to the incident. Shanghai police confirmed that the two teenagers involved in the scandal were intoxicated at the time. Both were arrested and are now facing legal consequences for their actions.
While the extent of their punishment remains unclear, legal experts suggest they could face serious penalties under Chinese law for jeopardizing public health and damaging a company’s reputation. The legal proceedings will likely set a precedent for future cases involving food contamination, raising questions about the responsibilities of individuals in public spaces.
Some legal analysts believe that the teenagers may face criminal charges that could include public endangerment and property damage, which might result in significant fines or even jail time. The case has also raised discussions about whether underage individuals should be held fully accountable for actions committed while under the influence of alcohol.
Health Risks: Is Urine Dangerous if Ingested?
Many have raised concerns about the potential health risks posed by this act. While some cultures historically practiced Urophagia (the consumption of urine) for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, modern science warns against it.
Urine contains waste products filtered through the kidneys, including high concentrations of sodium and toxins. If ingested, it can lead to dehydration and other health complications. Given these risks, it remains uncertain whether the contaminated hotpot broth was disposed of properly before being served to customers.
🔎 Learn more about food hygiene standards by visiting the World Health Organization’s guidelines.
Additionally, health experts have emphasized that urine, though sterile upon excretion, can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria once outside the body. This makes the presence of urine in a shared food dish not only unsanitary but also a potential health hazard. Foodborne illnesses can arise from contaminated dishes, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Haidilao’s Reputation
The Haidilao hotpot contamination scandal has left a significant mark on the brand’s reputation. Although the restaurant chain responded with an apology and financial compensation, the incident raises broader concerns about food safety measures in the dining industry.
Can Haidilao regain public trust after this scandal? Will stricter policies be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future? Only time will tell.
💬 Would you continue dining at Haidilao after this controversy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on Reddit.
Many experts believe that for Haidilao to restore its credibility, it must go beyond compensation and enforce stricter food safety policies. Customers will be closely watching how the chain handles this scandal in the coming months, determining whether it can truly regain the public’s confidence.
Featured Image Credit: JADE GAO/Getty
