Restaurant Accused Of ‘Fat-Shaming’ For Weighing Diners Before They Could Order
Image via Shutterstock
A restaurant in China has apologized after it asked diners to weigh themselves before entry as a supposed response to the country’s national campaign against food waste.
The Chuiyan Fried Beef restaurant in Changsha was heavily criticized on the internet as soon as it unveiled its policy.
Customers were asked to stand on scales to have their data scanned through an app. The app would then recommend food choices based on their weight and the dishes’ calorific value, per CNN.
For example, the eatery would recommend a woman weighing at 40 kilograms (88 pounds) to eat the chain’s beef dish and fish head, while a man weighing 80 kilograms (176 pounds) would be offered dishes like the braised pork belly.
There were also signs displayed in the restaurant reading, “Be thrifty and diligent,” and, “Clean your plate.”
Social media users were quick to accuse the food chain of “fat-shaming” its customers. The restaurant immediately issued an apology, stating that it “deeply regretted” its interpretation of the anti-waste campaign. It explained that it never forced patrons to weigh themselves, but still encouraged them to do so at its outlets.
“Netizens are welcome to come to the store to experience it and give their comments and suggestions,” it said.
The campaign was apparently in response to Chinese president Xi Jinping urging to stop wasting food, as the coronavirus pandemic and flooding have led to a food crisis.
A Chinese restaurant has asked their customers to weigh themselves before ordering so they could be recommended a type of food and serving size - to reduce food waste.
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) August 17, 2020
Would you weigh yourself at a restaurant? #9Today pic.twitter.com/QR6UXhFkaY
[via CNN, opening image via Shutterstock]
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