McDonald's: CCTV isn't lovin' it

China Central Television (CCTV) aired an investigative report on World Consumer Rights Day (March 15) that revealed the McDonald's restaurant in Sanlitun sold chicken wings 90 minutes after they were cooked, despite the fast-food giant's policy of discarding them after 30 minutes.

CCTV alleged that staff modified the expiration times on food items and even cooked hamburger patties that had fallen on the ground. McDonald's issued an apology on the company's official Chinese website, saying the incidents were isolated and contrary to McDonald's standards.

Web users rallied behind McDonald's, with microbloggers on Weibo.com launching a campaign dubbed "I trust McDonald's more than I trust CCTV." They claimed they would rather eat expired American junk food than Chinese food cooked in gutter oil. Will you still eat at McDonald's in Beijing? Do you trust McDonald's food hygiene standards? Is the weibo campaign a suitable response to CCTV's exposé or merely a publicity stunt? Li Chanyu hit the streets to find out.

Helene Carpentier, student, France

I will still eat McDonald's and I still trust McDonald's food hygiene standards. I really like Chinese food, but I know that lots of food is cooked with gutter oil. I would rather choose McDonald's. I don't know if the Weibo campaign is a publicity stunt.

Kaplan Maria, content manager, Israel

I'll still eat McDonald's. As for its food hygiene standards, it's junk food anyway and unhealthy. The Internet has all sorts of campaigns. People should separate the campaigns they think they can trust from those they cannot. I think people who like McDonald's will eat it anyway. I prefer Chinese food, but sometimes I eat McDonald's.

Vera Alekhlma, manager, Russia

I'll still visit McDonald's, but only to drink coffee and eat ice cream there. I don't trust their food hygiene standards. We don't know where McDonald's imports its food products. It is unhealthy food, so I trust CCTV. It's probably wiser to buy your own food and cook it by yourself.

William Jefferson, teacher, Australia

I'll still eat at McDonald's. Generally, I trust their hygiene standards. Compared to local Chinese restaurants, especially street food stalls, it's definitely several times better in regards to food hygiene. Chinese food is more delicious than McDonald's, so I'll still eat at Chinese restaurants. I can't say whether the Weibo campaign is a publicity stunt.

Luisa Bianchi, student, Italy

I won't eat at McDonald's anymore, as I don't trust their food hygiene standards. I don't think the campaign on Weibo is a publicity stunt because these people are just McDonald's fans. I prefer Chinese food, in any case.

Sanjay Kumar, tour guide, India

It's terrible. I used to trust McDonald's and its food, but now I'll think twice about eating there. I don't trust their food hygiene standards any more. The Weibo campaign is not reasonable. Between Chinese food and McDonald's, I'll choose neither. The food hygiene standards at Chinese restaurants is also unreliable.