A shocking incident at a Haidilao restaurant in Shanghai sparked outrage across China last month. Two teenagers were caught on camera urinating into a hotpot broth while dining in a private room.
Video footage showing boys standing on tables while contaminating food quickly went viral on Chinese social media platforms in late February. Public reaction grew intense as millions viewed and shared content showing such blatant disregard for food safety.
Customers expressed disgust and anger upon learning about contamination at a branch of China’s most popular hotpot chain. Many questioned how such behavior could occur without staff intervention or awareness.
Shanghai authorities confirmed that February 24 was the date of the incident, although restaurant management learned about it days later through online videos. The privacy of the separate dining rooms allowed the culprits to act without being detected immediately.
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The Messy Details
Footage revealed two 17-year-old males standing directly on dining tables at Haidilao’s Bund location in Shanghai. Both teens proceeded to urinate directly into active hotpot broth cooking on the tables.
Police reports indicate the boys arrived intoxicated, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. Private room settings at Haidilao offer separation from the main dining areas, providing more excellent privacy for group meals.
Most concerning aspects include the apparent planning involved, as someone deliberately recorded actions rather than preventing them. The video shows calculated behavior rather than accidental contamination.
Both males appear to be aware of the cameras during the incident, suggesting premeditation rather than impulsive behavior. The restaurant’s layout, featuring private rooms, inadvertently facilitated the opportunity for misconduct away from staff supervision.
Shanghai police eventually identified both participants through video evidence, confirming their ages at 17 years. Authorities announced the detention shortly after identification, although the specifics of the charges remain undisclosed.
The Restaurant’s Reaction
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.
In the video, the man also laughed and said that the restaurant, Haidilao, China's hotpot chain, had launched a… pic.twitter.com/WeT0QSliDH— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) March 8, 2025
Haidilao management faced criticism for delayed response after learning about contamination on February 28, four days after the incident occurred. Restaurant representatives initially struggled to identify the exact location among the numerous Shanghai branches.
Company acknowledged failures in statement: “As management had never made contingency plans or given training for dealing with this type of incident, staff at our branch were unable to detect any abnormalities at scene or uphold safety of dining environment.”
March 6 marked the official confirmation of the affected location after the investigation. The restaurant implemented immediate sanitization protocols, including replacement of all hotpot equipment and dining utensils throughout the facility.
Management admitted to lacking appropriate training procedures for handling such unusual situations. Missing protocols highlighted gaps in restaurant industry preparedness for intentional contamination scenarios.
Official statement emphasized commitment to improving safety: “We fully understand distress caused to our customers by this incident cannot be fully compensated for by any means, but we will do our utmost to take responsibility.”
Making Things Right (Kind Of)
Facing massive public backlash, Haidilao announced an unprecedented compensation package for affected customers. Anyone who had dined at the Shanghai Bund location between February 24 and March 8 was eligible for reimbursement.
The compensation structure included full refund of the original meal costs plus additional payment valued at ten times the original bill amount. With approximately 4,000 customers dining during specified period, the financial impact proved substantial.
Qualified customers received instructions on how to submit receipts and documentation to claim compensation. Proof of dining was required during the affected periods through digital payment records or physical receipts.
While financial gestures appeared generous, many questioned whether monetary compensation adequately addressed concerns about hygiene practices and oversight. Public discussion focused on the need for systemic changes beyond one-time payments.
Financial analysts speculated that total compensation could reach millions of yuan, given the restaurant’s popularity and compensation multiplier. Company statements avoided specifying the exact economic impact on operations.
Legal Consequences
Shanghai police confirmed the detention of both 17-year-old males shortly after identification. Authorities cited intoxication as a contributing factor but emphasized the severity of public hygiene violations.
Chinese law treats the contamination of food products as a serious offense, with penalties varying depending on the intent and the public health impact. The juvenile status of perpetrators can potentially affect the sentencing options available to courts. Haidilao filed a civil lawsuit against the teens on March 11, seeking damages for reputation harm and business losses. Legal proceedings continue separately from the criminal investigation, which is handled by Shanghai authorities.
Parents of minors may face additional liability under Chinese civil code provisions regarding guardian responsibility. Compensation for affected businesses can include documented losses, as well as punitive damages in egregious cases. Public sentiment appears divided on the appropriate punishment, with some advocating leniency due to the offender’s age, while others demand maximum penalties given the intentional nature of the contamination.
Health and Hygiene Concerns
Traditional hotpot broth contains a mixture of soybean oil, chili, bean sauce, salt, Chinese prickly ash, pickled pepper, pickled ginger, sugar, garlic, spices, onion, fermented black bean, and various essences—not human waste products. Medical professionals note that urine contains waste materials filtered by the kidneys, including urea, creatinine, ammonia, salts, and other compounds. Consumption presents multiple health risks beyond psychological distress.
A high sodium concentration in urine can contribute to dehydration when consumed. Additionally, bacteria from urinary tract infections could be transmitted to consumers if the broth is not heated adequately afterward.
Questions persist about whether specific contaminated pots were properly sanitized before potential reuse. Haidilao’s system typically assigns individual cooking equipment to each table, but cleaning protocols between seatings have become the focus of investigation. While historical practices of urophagia (urine consumption) exist in some ancient traditions for purported medicinal purposes, modern medicine uniformly discourages ingestion due to numerous health risks and zero proven benefits.
Brand Impact Analysis
Founded in 1994, Haidilao grew from a single location to a global chain with over 1,000 restaurants worldwide. The company built a reputation on exceptional customer service, including free manicures for waiting customers and giving children candy floss. Stock price fluctuations followed the incident announcement, with investors concerned about brand damage. Analysis suggests a temporary impact on booking rates at Shanghai locations, although nationwide effects appear limited.
Marketing experts note that food service brands facing hygiene scandals face a particular challenge compared to other industries. Consumer trust recovery typically requires a longer timeline and more substantial evidence of systemic changes. International branches faced questions about global standards and protocols despite the incident occurring only in Shanghai. Company communications emphasized the isolated nature of the event while highlighting worldwide safety measures.
Chinese social media platforms displayed a shifting sentiment from initial shock to a cautious return as the compensation program was rolled out. Brand monitoring showed gradual improvement in sentiment metrics by late March.
Trust in Dining Out
The restaurant industry faces growing challenges in balancing privacy with safety oversight. Private dining rooms create monitoring difficulties without sacrificing guest experience. Food safety experts now advocate for balanced solutions: regular staff visits to private areas, strategic camera placement, and specialized training to identify suspicious behavior. Many customers remain unaware of these behind-the-scenes efforts designed to protect them.
Consumer studies show that contamination incidents leave a lasting impression. Most patrons require about six months to regain comfort with affected restaurants, assuming the visible changes address their original concerns.
Haidilao’s situation prompted wider discussions about youth conduct and social media’s role in Chinese society. Several educational programs now use this case study for ethics training. Restaurant associations throughout Asia developed new guidelines around private room monitoring and emergency response plans. Industry standards continue evolving rapidly to prevent similar occurrences.
Many diners realized how much trust they place in food service staff daily. People assume specific lines won’t be crossed, yet viral videos challenge these basic expectations. Rebuilding trust demands open communication, visible safety improvements, and consistent application of new standards. Ultimately, customers decide when sufficient evidence exists to restore dining confidence.
