A Chagee store in Zhangzhou, China, has closed indefinitely after a video showing a staff member preparing drinks with her bare hands went viral online. The footage, which appeared on Douyin on January 5, showed the employee squeezing lemons and pouring tea directly into cups while stirring by hand, sparking widespread criticism over food safety.
Chagee responded the following day, clarifying that the video was a staged promotional attempt by the employee to capitalise on a viral trend. The company confirmed that the ingredients used were discarded items, and the drinks were never sold to customers. Routine cleaning and disinfection were carried out immediately after the filming.
Rules Violation
Despite the drinks not reaching consumers, the employee violated company rules. Chagee has since dismissed her and announced disciplinary measures against management, including demotions for both the outlet manager and regional supervisor. The outlet will remain closed until it passes a stringent inspection.
In a statement on Weibo, Chagee emphasised that automated machines handle all fresh tea preparation to minimise human contact, and condemned the employee’s actions as a serious breach of food safety and business integrity. The company stated, “This behaviour completely deviates from our commitment to food safety and honest business practices. We will never condone such actions.”
The incident has raised questions about food safety practices in milk tea chains, prompting other outlets to reinforce hygiene protocols. Chagee’s swift action highlights the company’s commitment to maintaining high standards despite the employee’s attempt at online publicity.
This episode serves as a reminder for food and beverage businesses to ensure compliance with safety standards and to monitor social media-driven stunts that could risk public trust.