A single cup of fruit tea smoothie turned out to contain fragments of an entire packet of deoxidizer. After drinking it, the consumer experienced a foreign-body sensation in the throat and a burning stomach, and was diagnosed with chemical esophagitis after seeking medical attention. The store involved first admitted it was an employee operational error, then said the deoxidizer had been crushed together with its outer packaging and filler and mixed into the ingredients, but later denied during mediation that the drink contained deoxidizer. The brand's apology letter was also deleted not long afterward. In this food safety dispute at a chain tea beverage brand, from medical consultation and negotiation to a 12315 complaint and market supervision bureau mediation, the compensation issue remained unresolved, sparking heated discussion online about the safety of freshly made drinks and brand responsibility. [more…]