‘Chinese Companies Hit List’ 3·15 Wan Hui, Reported for Illegal Beauty Practices and More

Korean Companies Are Not on the List

China's consumer complaint program '3·15 Wanhui' exposed illegal beauty practices and telemarketing targeting the elderly.

On the 15th, China Central Television (CCTV) aired '3·15 Wanhui' under the theme of 'Enhancing Consumer Trust.' This program is a consumer protection show that has been broadcast annually on March 15 since 1991, jointly produced by the State Administration for Market Regulation, the National Medical Products Administration, the China Consumers Association, and CCTV's special investigative team after long-term market research.

This year, several local grain companies were exposed for artificially adding fragrance and falsely selling their products as 'Thai-scented rice,' along with companies providing illegal beauty injections or procedures. Additionally, telemarketing targeting the elderly, manufacturers of safety belts with questionable safety, and producers of non-standard cement pipes were also named. A total of 26 companies were identified in this investigation.

Companies exposed for deceiving consumers through the broadcast usually suffer significant damage, such as sharp declines in stock prices and sales volume. In 2021, the practice of transporting kimchi with heavy machinery and producing 'naked kimchi'?where workers salted cabbage naked in factories?was fully revealed in China, sparking controversy in Korea as well.

The program has targeted both domestic and foreign companies without distinction. Services of major Chinese distribution companies such as Taobao and Ele.me have been scrutinized, and issues involving foreign companies like Burger King, Muji, Nike, Starbucks, Apple, and Kumho Tire have also been covered. This year, no Korean companies or well-known foreign enterprises were named.

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