"Spicy and Unique Umami"... Famous Chinese Restaurant Found to Have Added Drug Powder

Chinese Restaurant Caught Using Poppy Powder

A Chinese restaurant that flavored its dishes with a seasoning mixed with poppy powder was caught by the public security authorities. Photo by Weibo screen capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] A Chinese noodle shop owner was arrested by the public security authorities on charges of adding drug powder to food to attract customers. Some customers who ate noodles at the shop reportedly experienced hallucinations and dehydration symptoms.

According to Chinese media such as Sina on the 6th, customers who ate at a noodle restaurant near Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China, began to report abnormal symptoms on the 7th of last month. Public security investigations confirmed that the restaurant added seasonings mixed with poppy powder to the noodles to enhance the flavor. The noodles at this shop were known for their spicy and unique umami taste.

The noodle shop owner, Mr. Li, reportedly added poppy powder to the seasoning after his business suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. He mixed the poppy powder into the chili seasoning served with the noodles for customers.

Mr. Li also introduced the seasoning containing poppy powder as a "secret sauce" to take-out customers and provided it separately. The restaurant increased its sales by about 33% or more through this method.

However, some customers who repeatedly ate the noodles reported hallucinations and dehydration symptoms. Later, a customer suspicious of the noodle's taste reported it to the public security, and the local public security bureau revealed that poppy powder and other substances were detected in Mr. Li's food.

The local public security bureau stated, "Mr. Li has been criminally detained, and the detailed circumstances and additional offenses are under investigation," adding, "Mr. Li's act of deceiving customers with narcotics is a serious illegal act that violates business ethics."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.