Hangzhou, China – A viral surveillance video has plunged a major Chinese pizza chain into a food safety crisis after a kitchen employee was allegedly caught contaminating prepared pizzas with dandruff. The incident, which took place on the evening of September 12 at the Zhuozun Pizza branch in Hangzhou’s Binhe Plaza, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed scrutiny over hygiene standards in China’s booming restaurant sector.
The footage, originally shared on the social platform Xiaohongshu, shows three uniformed staff members working in the kitchen. According to reports from Chinese media outlet Xiaoxiang Morning Herald, one employee is seen removing their cap, leaning over the counter, and repeatedly scratching their scalp for approximately 10 seconds. In a second, even more alarming motion, the worker appears to gather hair flakes and deliberately toss them over finished pizzas. The act reportedly occurred twice, with nearby colleagues failing to intervene at any point.
The clip quickly spread across social media, prompting an immediate backlash. Angry viewers flooded Zhuozun Pizza’s official livestream channel with comments such as “dandruff” and “extra toppings,” while many users declared they would never eat at the chain again. Some netizens speculated that the employee may have acted out of malice following a dispute with a customer, though this theory has not been confirmed by authorities.
In a statement released on September 14, the affected outlet confirmed that police have been notified and that the employee in question has been suspended. The restaurant has also been shut down for a thorough overhaul while investigations continue. Management emphasized that the contaminated pizza was never served to customers and was discarded immediately, and that all surveillance footage has been preserved for law enforcement.
This controversy strikes at the heart of a well-established brand. Zhuozun Pizza, widely regarded as a top-tier, budget-friendly pizza chain in mainland China, operates more than 3,000 locations nationwide, including several in Shenzhen—a popular destination for Hong Kong residents traveling north. Its reputation as a “top three” pizza choice for many consumers now hangs in the balance.
The incident also raises broader questions about the effectiveness of “bright kitchen, clean stove” initiatives, which use live surveillance to promote food safety transparency. While such systems are designed to deter misconduct, this case demonstrates that monitoring alone cannot guarantee behavior. Industry experts suggest that stronger staff training, stricter enforcement of hygiene protocols, and clearer consequences for violations are essential to restoring public trust.
For now, the chain faces an uphill battle to reassure customers. As one netizen lamented in a comment thread: “If this can happen in a famous chain, what about smaller eateries?” The answer, many say, lies in stricter oversight—and a collective demand from consumers for accountability.