A recent video posted by a food blogger on social media has questioned the quality of certain meat products sold at HAIDILAO hot pot restaurants. In the video, the blogger expressed dissatisfaction, suggesting that the high prices charged did not correspond to premium, non-processed cuts of meat, and questioned the fairness of paying a premium for processed items.
The blogger specifically ordered a half-portion of New Zealand Lamb Rib Rolls and requested to see the product's external packaging. The packaging indicated the product name was "Grassland Lamb (Quick-Frozen Seasoned)," with ingredients including lamb (≥96%), water, and a compound enzyme preparation, among others.
The blogger remarked in the video that many hot pot establishments have moved away from using processed or reconstituted meats in favor of original cuts. In response, a HAIDILAO staff member clarified that the meat was neither synthetic nor pieced together, but rather produced using a specialized compression technique, with each batch accompanied by qualified inspection reports.
An industry insider commented that processed meat is not indicative of inferior quality but represents a mature food processing technology. The core process involves trimming irregular cuts of meat—removing blood clots and excessively fatty sections—adding permitted food additives, such as water-retaining agents, to improve texture, molding the meat into shape, rapidly freezing it, and finally slicing it into standard rolls.
The insider emphasized that the primary goal of this processing method is to enhance the eating experience. For instance, lean meat can become tough when cooked, while fatty cuts may be overly greasy; processing allows for an ideal fat-to-lean ratio. Additionally, the technique ensures uniform shapes, facilitating easier preparation in restaurants. This practice is widespread in the industry and is commonly used for frozen meat rolls, not limited to just a few companies.
According to national food safety standards issued by relevant authorities, processed meat products are a legal and compliant category. They are defined as non-ready-to-eat meat products made primarily from fresh or frozen livestock or poultry,经过预处理、调制加工、冷却或冻结、包装，需冷藏或冷冻贮存、运输，including both refrigerated and frozen varieties.
To help consumers make informed purchases, market regulatory departments advise checking three aspects: first, review the product label for terms like "seasoned" or "processed" to identify pre-prepared meat; second, examine the ingredient list, which, by national standards, lists components in descending order by weight; and third, assess the product's appearance, opting for items with natural color and firm texture, while avoiding packages that are bloated, overly frosty, or have off odors.
As of the time of writing, HAIDILAO has not issued a public response to the blogger's claims.
Comments