A show on Chinese state television advocating consumer rights has highlighted alleged regulation breaches by two multinational companies operating in the country.
The CCTV programme ‘315 Evening Gala’ is a consumer rights show aired each year on 15 March. It has been running since 1991 and is intended to uncover dishonest business practices.
French retail giant Carrefour was featured on the show after it claimed an outlet in Zhengzhou sold expired meat and chicken fraudulently labelled as free-range at a higher price.
Fast food restaurant operator McDonalds was also featured with a franchise in Sanlutin accused of selling products after they had passed expiration times established by the company.
Both Carrefour and McDonalds were quick to issue apologies.
Carrefour published an apology on its website promising to work with local industry and commerce departments to conduct an immediate investigation into the breach and vowed to eradicate fraudulent practices and tighten the protocols on managing food quality.
International Food Packaging Association executive vice president Dong Jinshi pointed out the majority of international companies trading in China have strict regulations and most problems often result when employees and franchise operators not follow these.
“Their service and products always can be trusted,” he told the China Daily. “Problems, such as food-safety scandals and service complaints, are always happening in local franchise stores since the regulations cannot be carried out effectively.
“It is a good lesson to international companies and stricter supervision of local stores is needed.”
No comments yet