Hidden Dangers in Your Shopping Cart: Raw Bird’s Nests with Deadly Chemicals Found Online
An investigation into major online platforms like Taobao and Douyin has revealed the sale of potentially smuggled and hazardous raw bird’s nests, drawing widespread attention and concern. Testing has shown these products to contain dangerous levels of nitrite, and despite media pressure for stronger action, platforms and regulatory agencies have been slow to respond.
By September 29, raw bird’s nests remained available on platforms such as Pinduoduo, JD.com, and Taobao. Additionally, numerous sales listings were still found on Kuaishou and Xiaohongshu. Although some Douyin accounts involved in these sales have changed their names or disappeared, others continue to sell bird’s nests during live broadcasts.
The investigation shows how sellers on these platforms evade responsibility. A reporter posing as a consumer sought compensation for purchasing unsafe bird’s nests but was met with stores instantly changing their names and business details to escape scrutiny. Taobao customer service admitted that the stores involved had not paid their required deposits, effectively preventing further contact, and offered only a $30 gift card as compensation.
IT and Evasion Tactics
Douyin accounts including “Guo Xiang’s Treasure” and “Bird’s Nest Wellness Shop” were identified as sellers of the bird’s nests. Tests confirmed that the nitrite content in products from these sellers exceeded legal limits by up to hundreds of times, with some samples showing mold levels over 220 times higher than acceptable standards.
When approached for compensation, sellers frequently used the platform’s IT infrastructure to sidestep accountability. For example, “Guo Xiang’s Treasure” asked for QR code traceability information but claimed that the provided code was illegible. Similarly, the “Niaojie Bird’s Nest Nutrition Store” sidestepped queries about nitrite levels, insisting that their products were of “top quality.”
A common tactic uncovered was the use of “price change links,” a deceptive practice where the live broadcast displays one product, but the linked order sends a different, often lower-quality, item. This method makes it difficult for consumers to prove they received defective goods. Many sellers also rely on frequent name and registration changes, further complicating efforts to hold them accountable.
Platform Involvement and Regulatory Responses
Despite ongoing concerns, platforms such as Pinduoduo, Taobao, and JD.com continued to allow the sale of questionable bird’s nests. Some live broadcasts were found selling these products as late as September 27. Sellers often moved transactions to private messaging platforms like WeChat to avoid detection, while Douyin live streams were still promoting bird’s nests, blocking any users who raised safety concerns.
Customs experts warn that only Malaysian bird’s nests are legally allowed into China, but products labeled as coming from Indonesia, Vietnam, or Thailand have been found on these platforms, likely smuggled.
Although Taobao was contacted for comment, its response was minimal. They stated that they do not conduct interviews and only handle consumer complaints. When asked how problematic stores were still operating despite past violations, Taobao simply offered a $30 gift card as compensation and indicated that legal action would be necessary for any further resolution.
Challenges in Enforcement and Regulation
Regulators face significant hurdles in tackling this issue, as many sellers operate across multiple cities and constantly change their store names and licensing information. Market supervision bureaus reported that many of the businesses they investigated had no physical presence at their registered addresses, and efforts to track them down had been unsuccessful.
Authorities from various regions have sent formal requests to platform owners and larger regulatory bodies, but little cooperation has been offered. Officials stressed that dealing with this widespread issue requires coordinated action across multiple platforms and regions, as local enforcement alone cannot keep up with the ever-shifting digital landscape.
Despite growing concerns and media pressure, the sale of unsafe bird’s nests remains a persistent problem across several online platforms, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of current IT-based oversight and regulation.