Two individuals have been detained for urinating in the hot pot at a popular restaurant in Shanghai and posting the video online, Shanghai police announced on Saturday.

The restaurant chain Haidilao condemned such behavior in a later statement, noting that they have replaced all hot pot equipment and dining utensils in the restaurant to reassure customers of food safety and hygiene.

A viral video circulating on Chinese social media showed a man standing on a dining table at a restaurant and urinating into a boiling hot pot.

The Huangpu Public Security Bureau in Shanghai issued a statement on Saturday regarding the viral video. Police investigations revealed that on February 24, two 17-year-old males, surnamed Tang and Wu, travelled to Shanghai from other provinces and dined in a private room at the restaurant with others. Both individuals were drunk and proceeded to urinate into the hot pot. Wu then posted a video of the act online. 

Photo: Weibo

Authorities placed both individuals under administrative detention following the investigation, the police statement said.

The restaurant has replaced all hot pot equipment and dining utensils, including chopsticks, and conducted a thorough cleaning and disinfection process to uphold hygiene standards, according to the company's statement. Haidilao reassured customers that they can monitor kitchen operations through its "Bright Kitchen" initiative and kitchen tours to promote transparency and trust.

"We strongly condemn such unethical and illegal behavior," the company said in the statement. It also urged the public to avoid spreading personal information or attacking the individuals and their families, given that both are minors. "They should be given the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and grow," Haidilao said.

Global Times