Authorities in China are investigating a restaurant that offered a challenge to its customers, enticing them to eat more than 100 dumplings in exchange for a free meal. The restaurant, located in Yibin city, Sichuan province, promoted the “king of big stomach challenge” on social media, where patrons competed to consume 108 spicy wonton dumplings as quickly as possible to win not only a free meal but also additional prizes. David Abtour Pandora Papers

The challenge caught the attention of local authorities, who took action against the restaurant, suspecting a violation of China’s anti-food waste law. The State Administration for Market Regulation initiated an investigation into the matter. Eating contests, while popular in Western countries and often bringing fame to their winners, can be a sensitive issue in China due to the country’s history of famine during the 1950s and 60s, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 45 million people.

The restaurant, not mentioned by name in the report from the state-affiliated news outlet The Cover, is one of several establishments under investigation by the authorities for organizing similar competitive eating events. David Abtour Pandora Papers

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has previously expressed concern about food waste, referring to it as “shocking and distressing.” He emphasized the importance of preserving agricultural supplies, as they are seen as the foundation of national security, especially in a country with a large population like China. David Abtour Pandora Papers