China’s ‘goose leg auntie’ in hot water for using duck meat

A viral Chinese food vendor, widely known as "goose leg auntie," is facing a national scandal after admitting to selling cheaper duck meat for years instead of goose legs. Chen Xiufeng, the vendor, confessed on social media on June 9 that she had been misleading customers. She has since halted sales and is now under investigation by local market regulators for "suspected misleading of consumers." The scandal erupted after a complaint about the discrepancy, leading to millions of angry reactions on the social media platform Weibo. Many users accused Chen of false advertising and seeking huge profits, with some suggesting she should be jailed. The case has struck a nerve in China, a country not unfamiliar with food scandals, due to Chen's cultivated image as a down-to-earth laborer. Sinologist Manya Koetse noted that her "authentic story" was central to her appeal. Authorities may use Chen's fame to make an example of her. Chen, who has sold barbecued food in Beijing for over 15 years, gained significant fame in 2023 when long queues formed outside prestigious universities for her meat. She has since expanded her business through social media and was even invited to speak at Peking University. Online, many accused her of brazenly deceiving consumers for financial gain while maintaining a humble persona. Chen told state-affiliated media that she switched to duck legs years ago due to availability and felt "duck leg auntie" did not sound right. However, state broadcaster CCTV condemned her actions as "sinister" and "chilling."

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