Yang Mingyu Huang Men Ji Apologizes Amid Food Safety Scandal

Journalists conducted undercover investigations at multiple Yang Mingyu Huang Men Ji franchise stores and discovered a range of food safety issues, including the use of expired ingredients, the reuse of leftover food, and the addition of coloring to old meat to make it appear fresh. In some cases, employees were found to be handling food without proper hygiene practices, such as smoking while preparing food and touching ingredients with their bare hands.

In response to the allegations, the parent company of Yang Mingyu Huang Men Ji issued a public apology, acknowledging that the incidents had exposed significant loopholes in its management and supervision of franchise stores. The company pledged to take immediate action to rectify the situation, including the immediate closure and permanent shutdown of the three franchise stores implicated in the scandal. Additionally, the company will conduct a thorough investigation of all its stores nationwide to ensure compliance with food safety standards and will provide enhanced training to all employees on food safety protocols.

The company has also faced criticism over food safety issues in the past, including fines for violating food safety regulations and allegations of food poisoning. The Yang Mingyu Huang Men Ji restaurant chain has over 2,500 stores across China, with a presence in over 500 cities, and was founded in 2011. However, the recent scandal has raised concerns about the company's ability to maintain consistent quality and safety standards across its vast network of stores.

The repercussions of the scandal have been severe, with the company's reputation suffering significantly as a result of the exposed serious food safety issues. Multiple food delivery riders have cautioned customers against ordering from the brand, and several of Yang Mingyu Huang Menji's stores have been temporarily shut down for rectification and inspection. The company is now facing an investigation and potential disciplinary action from the local market supervision and management bureau, part of a broader crackdown on food safety standards in the catering industry.

The incident has also prompted the local market supervision bureau to conduct a thorough inspection of all food establishments within its jurisdiction, signaling a tightening of oversight on the industry. This step aims to reassure the public of the commitment to upholding high food safety standards and to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the investigation unfolds, the company's response and the outcome of the regulatory actions will be closely watched, not only by its customers but also by the broader food industry, as it navigates the challenges of rebuilding trust and complying with stringent food safety regulations.

The company has announced a series of rectification measures, including the immediate closure of the three franchise stores involved in the incidents, a nationwide store inspection, enhanced employee training and assessment, and the establishment of a supervision mechanism. These measures aim to restore consumer trust and prevent similar incidents in the future. The company has also promised to cooperate with relevant authorities and conduct self-inspections at all its stores nationwide.

The controversy surrounding Yang Mingyu's Huangmen Chicken has sparked widespread reflection and discussion across various sectors of society. Many have come to realize that the "scale miracle" of franchise models, if detached from quality control foundations, can ultimately backfire on a brand. This has led to calls for the catering industry to strengthen food safety management and supervision, thereby protecting consumer rights. The incident has also raised broader questions about consumer protection and the need for greater accountability in the service industry. As the public continues to grapple with these issues, it is clear that the Yang Mingyu Huangmen Chicken controversy serves as a cautionary tale for the catering industry, underscoring the importance of prioritizing quality control and consumer safety above scale and profit.