A beloved snack among Hong Kong shoppers who frequently travel north for groceries or online purchases has come under scrutiny after shocking test results revealed bacterial contamination far exceeding legal safety limits. The Tianjin Municipal Market Supervision Commission announced on September 16, 2026, that a batch of “Pickled Chicken Feet with Sichuan Peppers” (136-gram bags, produced January 27, 2026) by renowned mainland brand Youyou Food—often called the “chicken feet king”—had failed routine food safety inspections.
The findings were alarming. In five separate tests, the total bacterial count reached 1.0×10⁷ CFU/g, surpassing the maximum safe limit by 100 times. Meanwhile, the coliform bacteria count hit 1.8×10⁴ CFU/g, exceeding the safe threshold by 180 times. Officials warned that consuming such heavily contaminated food could trigger acute gastroenteritis, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
Shocking Test Results
The Tianjin commission’s fifth food safety sampling bulletin of 2026 listed the problematic product as “Phoenix Claws (Mountain Pepper Flavor),” manufactured under commission by Youyou Food Co., Ltd. and produced by its subsidiary, Sichuan Youyou Food Development Co., Ltd.
- Total bacterial count: Up to 10 million CFU/g (limit 100,000 CFU/g)
- Coliform group: Up to 18,000 CFU/g (limit 100 CFU/g)
These microorganisms serve as key indicators of hygiene during production. While “total bacterial count” reflects overall sanitation, coliform bacteria signal possible contamination by pathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella, or pathogenic E. coli, posing serious health risks.
Health Risks Explained
Consumers ingesting such heavily contaminated snacks face disruption of their intestinal flora. Symptoms may include nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea—essentially acute food poisoning. “Eating these chicken feet is like swallowing a cocktail of harmful bacteria,” one food safety expert noted, emphasizing that those with weaker immune systems, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable.
Company Response
Following the public disclosure, outrage spread quickly on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, where users expressed disgust and fear. In response, Youyou Food’s customer service team issued a statement. After investigation by the Tianjin Jinan District Market Supervision Bureau, the company attributed the contamination to improper storage by distributors, not to flaws in the production process. The firm claimed that retained samples from the same batch tested clean in both its internal laboratory and third-party facilities.
Yet this is not the first time Youyou Food has faced food safety suspicions. Earlier in March 2026, a CCTV “3·15” expose revealed that some unscrupulous manufacturers had used hydrogen peroxide to bleach chicken feet. Although Youyou Food was not named, the scandal forced the company to issue emergency statements and provide test reports proving its products were free from hydrogen peroxide.
How to Stay Safe: Buyer’s Guide
For Hong Kong consumers who purchase such ready-to-eat meat snacks online or during cross-border shopping trips, experts recommend three simple but crucial precautions:
- Inspect packaging before eating. Look for leaks, punctures, or bulging (swollen bags)—signs of spoilage and bacterial growth.
- Mind storage conditions. Even sealed packages may require refrigeration. During transport back to Hong Kong, avoid prolonged exposure to warm temperatures. Check labels for storage instructions.
- Check appearance and smell. Once opened, discard immediately if the chicken feet emit an off odor, feel sticky or slimy, or show mold spots. Never cut away affected parts and eat the rest.
Broader Impact and Next Steps
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in China’s vast food supply chain, where even major brands can see contamination at the distribution stage. For consumers, the lesson is clear: trust but verify. While regulators are likely to tighten inspections of preserved meat snacks, individual vigilance remains the last line of defense.
As more Hong Kongers enjoy the convenience of cross-border shopping and online delivery, food safety education must keep pace. Checking production dates, verifying official test results when available, and adhering to proper storage can prevent a tasty treat from turning into a trip to the hospital.