Restaurant Under Scrutiny for Reusing “Saliva Oil” in Sichuan

A hotpot restaurant in Sichuan, China, faces scrutiny after customers revealed that the establishment reused “saliva oil”—the leftover chilli oil from uneaten soup bases. Instead of discarding the oil, the restaurant blended it with fresh oil to prepare broth for later guests. This practice sparked public outrage and prompted regulatory intervention.

Authorities Confiscate Recycled Beef Tallow

On December 2, 2024, the Nanchong Market Regulation Administration in Sichuan shut down the hotpot restaurant for reusing “old oil.” During the investigation, officials confiscated 11.54 kilograms of recycled beef tallow, a key ingredient in the region’s spicy hotpot dishes. Authorities seized the reclaimed oil and referred the restaurant’s actions to local law enforcement for further investigation. China’s Food Safety Law, effective since 2009, strictly prohibits reusing leftover food components.

Restaurant Owner Admits to Practice for “Enhanced Flavor”

Following the inquiry, the restaurant owner admitted that since September 2024, they had been collecting leftover chilli oil from customers’ soup bases, mixing it with fresh oil to “boost taste” and improve business results. Despite the legal prohibition on reusing food, many social media users in mainland China revealed that this practice is not unique to this restaurant. Blending old oil with fresh oil is a common technique in hotpot restaurants to enhance flavour.

Widespread Knowledge of the Practice

While the practice is illegal, some customers in Sichuan and Chongqing seemed to accept it as part of the dining experience. A social media user from Chongqing commented, “We all know that hotpot restaurants reuse old oil, but we continue to visit because hotpot without it just lacks flavour.” Another user from Sichuan remarked that recycled oil is the reason packaged hotpot soup bases don’t taste as good as those in restaurants.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about food safety and hygiene practices in the restaurant industry and the growing attention on China’s food safety regulations.

Source: NDTV