Famous burger brand apologizes for using expired ingredients!
[4] Compiled from: Red Star News
Case review
On July 13, a former employee of Shake Shack's Wuhan MixC store revealed that the restaurant used expired cream to make drinks, used expired ketchup, and removed labels from expired beer to continue selling it.
On July 13, a former employee of Shake Shack's Wuhan MixC store revealed that the restaurant used expired cream to make drinks, used expired ketchup, and removed labels from expired beer to continue selling it.
[1] Image source from the internet; if infringement occurs, please delete!
The employee stated that they were transferred to work in the Wuhan, Hubei area in May 2023 and discovered food quality control issues at the store after working there for a period, providing three videos as evidence. They also said they were fired by the company after reporting the issues to market regulatory authorities.
In response to the exposure of expired ingredients at the Wuhan store, at 11 p.m. on July 16, the fast-food brand @ShakeShack's official Weibo account released an internal investigation and apologized:
Through preliminary investigation, the involved store failed to promptly dispose of expired canned whipped cream according to the company's food safety management regulations. The expired ingredient had a shelf life of nine months, expired on June 26, 2023, and was discarded on June 30, 2023. Regarding the reported use of expired ketchup and sale of relabeled beer, our company has cooperated with the investigation and is awaiting the regulatory authorities' review results.
Our company bears an undeniable responsibility for the occurrence of this expired cream incident in terms of store management and operational execution. For this, we extend our sincerest apologies to Shake Shack customers!
All management and employees involved in this food safety issue will be subject to disciplinary action based on the severity of the circumstances, in accordance with the Labor Contract Law and other relevant laws and regulations, as well as company rules. Shake Shack stores nationwide will conduct self-inspections and corrections, standardize operations, and fully implement the Food Safety Law, relevant laws and regulations, and the company's food safety management system requirements.
[1] Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China
[2] Article 34
The following foods, food additives, and food-related products are prohibited from production and operation:
……
[3] (3) Foods and food additives produced using food ingredients or food additives that have exceeded their shelf life;
……
[1] The author's perspective
[4] The fast pace of modern life has led to the rise of fast food in the catering industry and fast fashion in clothing, in line with the trends of the times. However, as producers, processors, or marketers, one must never forget the principle of putting people first, and toxic or harmful ingredients must never be used. Although the ingredients used in this case were not toxic or harmful, they had exceeded their shelf life. Even if the product itself may not have undergone any qualitative changes, such behavior shows extreme disrespect for consumers' health and, of course, violates the principle of honest business operations. The author hopes that businesses will not forget their original intentions and will strive to build strong and reputable brands—not through such petty gains, but through the love and support of the majority of consumers. Instead of focusing on such underhanded tactics, it is better to think about how to improve products and services, as this is the long-term path to development.
In response to the exposure of expired ingredients at the Wuhan store, at 11 p.m. on July 16, the fast-food brand @ShakeShack's official Weibo account released an internal investigation and apologized:
Through preliminary investigation, the involved store failed to promptly dispose of expired canned whipped cream according to the company's food safety management regulations. The expired ingredient had a shelf life of nine months, expired on June 26, 2023, and was discarded on June 30, 2023. Regarding the reported use of expired ketchup and sale of relabeled beer, our company has cooperated with the investigation and is awaiting the regulatory authorities' review results.
Our company bears an undeniable responsibility for the occurrence of this expired cream incident in terms of store management and operational execution. For this, we extend our sincerest apologies to Shake Shack customers!
All management and employees involved in this food safety issue will be subject to disciplinary action based on the severity of the circumstances, in accordance with the Labor Contract Law and other relevant laws and regulations, as well as company rules. Shake Shack stores nationwide will conduct self-inspections and corrections, standardize operations, and fully implement the Food Safety Law, relevant laws and regulations, and the company's food safety management system requirements.
[1] Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China
[2] Article 34
The following foods, food additives, and food-related products are prohibited from production and operation:
……
[3] (3) Foods and food additives produced using food ingredients or food additives that have exceeded their shelf life;
……
[1] The author's perspective
[4] The fast pace of modern life has led to the rise of fast food in the catering industry and fast fashion in clothing, in line with the trends of the times. However, as producers, processors, or marketers, one must never forget the principle of putting people first, and toxic or harmful ingredients must never be used. Although the ingredients used in this case were not toxic or harmful, they had exceeded their shelf life. Even if the product itself may not have undergone any qualitative changes, such behavior shows extreme disrespect for consumers' health and, of course, violates the principle of honest business operations. The author hopes that businesses will not forget their original intentions and will strive to build strong and reputable brands—not through such petty gains, but through the love and support of the majority of consumers. Instead of focusing on such underhanded tactics, it is better to think about how to improve products and services, as this is the long-term path to development.
