Cleaning up kitchen mess for better hygiene

The recent spate of news about low standards of hygiene in hotels didn't come as a surprise to those of us who travel around China regularly. But the news has also exposed that the problem pervades almost all strata of the hospitality industry, as even some five-star hotels in Beijing were found to be sloppy when it comes to maintaining hygiene and sanitation.

Poor hygienic conditions undermine trust in the hospitality industry. In that sense, it is a hurdle to the ongoing economic recalibration in China (the economy is being weaned away from its reliance on investment and manufacturing toward a more service-oriented growth). The new consumption-led economy will not realize its full potential until people have confidence in the ability of restaurants and hotels to protect them from infections by taking adequate hygienic measures.

That many people in China I have spoken to avoid eating out for fear of food safety and adulterated foods shows Chinese people care a lot about hygiene.