Beijing restaurant under investigation over food safety

Beijing authorities have launched an investigation into "Panggelia," a popular restaurant chain featuring a crab casserole dish, after media reports exposed safety issues in the dish's ingredients.

According to the reports, two outlets of the chain in Beijing, sold dead crabs as live ones, processed spoiled potatoes for sale and provided stale chicken feet.

When law enforcement officials arrived at an outlet in Fengtai district of Beijing on Monday, the restaurant had already suspended all services and was thoroughly cleaning the kitchen.

Officials have checked the restaurant's business license and food operation certificates, which were valid, and found no expired food ingredients in the restaurant.

An authorized third-party testing company sampled raw food materials in five batches, including chicken feet, crab meat, shallot pancakes and potatoes. The results are still under review.

The restaurant has also been required to suspend services on all third-party platforms during the investigation.

Also on Monday, an investigation was carried out into a Pangelia outlet in the Chaoyang district.