Child Throws Used Diaper into Hot Pot at Haidilao Restaurant

Incident Summary: On January 8, 2026, a video went viral showing a two-year-old child throwing a used diaper into a boiling hot pot at a Haidilao restaurant in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, sparking widespread public outrage and food safety concerns.

Key Details:

• Date: Incident occurred on December 31, 2025; video gained attention on January 8, 2026
• Location: Haidilao restaurant at Yunlong Wanda Plaza, Xuzhou
• What Happened: Child threw used diaper into hot pot while parent was changing diaper nearby
• Restaurant Response: Called police, disposed of contaminated pot, authorities penalized guardians
• Social Reactions: Heavy criticism of parental supervision, references to previous Haidilao urination incident with 2.2 million yuan compensation
• Public Health Concerns: Food safety violations, inappropriate diaper changing at dining table despite available mother-and-baby rooms
• Current Status: Incident ranked #2 on hot search list, multiple news outlets reported Haidilao's official response

Broader Context: This incident highlights ongoing challenges with parental responsibility in public spaces and restaurant hygiene standards. It follows a pattern of similar incidents at Haidilao, raising questions about customer behavior management in popular dining establishments.Background: This incident occurred at a Haidilao restaurant in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, where a two-year-old child threw a used diaper into a boiling hot pot while the parent was changing the diaper nearby. The video went viral on January 8, 2026, sparking widespread public outrage and food safety concerns.

Detailed Timeline:

• December 31, 2025: Incident occurred at Haidilao restaurant in Yunlong Wanda Plaza, Xuzhou
• January 8, 2026: Video gained attention and went viral on social media
• Immediate Response: Restaurant staff called police, disposed of contaminated pot, and authorities penalized the child's guardians

Restaurant Protocol: Haidilao followed strict food safety protocols by immediately disposing of the contaminated hot pot and contacting authorities. The restaurant emphasized that such behavior violates public health standards and appropriate diaper changing facilities (mother-and-baby rooms) were available on-site.

Public Reaction: The incident ranked #2 on Baidu's hot search list, with heavy criticism directed at parental supervision. Many referenced a previous Haidilao incident where a child urinated in a restaurant, resulting in 2.2 million yuan compensation to affected customers.

Food Safety Implications: This case highlights ongoing challenges with parental responsibility in public dining spaces. Health experts warn that such incidents pose serious contamination risks, as diapers contain bacteria and waste that can spread pathogens in food preparation areas.

Broader Social Context: The incident reflects broader societal issues regarding public behavior in restaurants. Haidilao, known for its customer service, faces challenges balancing hospitality with enforcing hygiene standards. The case has sparked discussions about restaurant liability, customer education, and the need for clearer guidelines on parental responsibility in public spaces.

Current Status: Authorities have penalized the guardians, and Haidilao has reinforced staff training on handling similar situations. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about maintaining hygiene standards in popular dining establishments.