Photo: VCG

The authorities in Huadu district, Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, issued an update on Wednesday regarding the investigation into the recently questioned mooncake brand Meisun amid false origin claim and false advertising allegations, revealing no major food safety concerns following three on-site inspections during which all product samples tested met regulatory safety standards, according to Nanfang Daily.

The Huadu district's market supervision administration said that Hong Kong Meicheng Food Group, the owner of the Meisun trademark, authorized Guangzhou Meicheng Food Co to use the trademark through relevant registration procedures. Guangzhou Meicheng Technology Co was commissioned to process the Meisun mooncakes under a processing contract.

The statement indicates that Guangzhou Meicheng Technology Co, based in Huadu, holds a valid business license and food production permit. The company's quality management system and production processes comply with the required standards, and no illegal activities have been identified at this time, it said.

Chinese top influencer Zhang Qingyang, known online as "Crazy Xiaoyangge," faced a backlash after marketing Meisun mooncakes as Hong Kong-made high-end products during his livestreams. The controversy arose when it was revealed that the brand has no physical stores or production facilities in Hong Kong.

Three Sheep Network, a company founded by Zhang, is under investigation for allegedly "misleading consumers" through livestreaming promotions on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by a local regulator in Hefei, East China's Anhui Province, where the company is based.

Market regulators in Huadu said that they have requested assistance from their counterparts in Hefei to investigate the issue, and further details are pending verification. Authorities will review the partnership between Guangzhou Meicheng Food Co and the livestreaming sale platforms and will strengthen oversight and compliance guidance for the companies involved.