I always thought hotpot was addictive....

[Guest realmayo]

Chinese restaurants 'used opium poppies as seasoning'

 

From http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/22/tasty-habit-chinese-restaurants-use-opium-poppies-seasoning

 

 

Thirty-five restaurants across China, including a popular Beijing chain, have been accused of illegally using opium poppies as seasoning.

Five restaurants are being prosecuted while 30 others, ranging from Shanghai dumpling joints to noodle shops in south-western Chongqing, are under investigation, said China’s food and drug administration.

Cases of cooks sprinkling ground poppy powder, which contains low amounts of opiates such as morphine and codeine, in soup and seafood are not new in China, though it is unclear whether they can effectively get a customer hooked or deliver a noticeable buzz.

 

 

.... the article mentions Huda hotpot chain -- any regular customers here?

[Angelina]

edited

Not sure about poppy powder made from the shells, powder made from seeds is safe. Since they used the former here, we have to see what the investigation shows.

[Demonic_Duck]

I ate at 胡大 once. We waited close to 2 hours for our seat (went and had a wander and a beer in the meantime).

 

Makes sense that it's so popular! 

[Chris Two Times]

Oh oh! I had a Chinese ladyfriend who told me her father swore by this--I guess this may be true after all.

 

"Where there's smoke there's fire..." (haha! in more ways than one with the fiery hotpot)

 

I have heard that the Beijing 串儿 folks may do the same, but then again, I've always suspected that McDonald's laces its food with something as well (Big Mac Attacks!  ).

 

Warm regards,

Chris Two Times

[Michael H]

It's probably safest to not eat anything, but then you'll die even faster.

[Flickserve]

You would have to eat a lot before getting high. There's a reason why injection or inhaling are more popular.

[Teasenz]

I seriously sometimes feel that I just can't stop eating when having hotpot.