Burger scams and bank leaks exposed by CCTV

Mainland branches of well-known global brands have been exposed by a local television station for selling shoddy products like expired food, and using tactics to deceive buyers.

In its annual investigative programme 315 Gala, marking Consumer Rights Day on March 15, China Central Television (CCTV) captured misdeeds at a McDonald's outlet in Beijing's Sanlitun area, such as serving customers hamburger patties that had fallen on the floor.

The fast-food branch was also caught selling old fried chicken wings, cheese slices and pies by resetting clocks used to monitor food quality, or putting the food in packaging with a new manufacturing time.

Footage from a hidden camera also showed staff reusing fallen burger patties, and another employee serving chicken that was two days past its sell-by date.

'[McDonald's] standards require us to throw them away but no restaurant will follow it. Everyone turns a blind eye,' said one staff member filmed by the camera. Another said saving costs by selling substandard or expired food was the only way to guarantee workers' bonuses.

A senior health official was cited by the Beijing Times yesterday as saying it was the first time in his 30 years of working for the hygiene watchdog that he had witnessed a big brand seriously violating mainland hygiene regulations.