Protecting Consumer Safety: Full Tracking of Companies Exposed at Last Year's 3·15 Gala

The annual “3.15 Consumer Rights Day” is approaching, and the highly anticipated 3.15 Gala will be held as scheduled. This event is known as the “Annual Supervision Feast” in the consumer sector, serving as both a “truth-seeking mirror” for markets and brands and an important platform for protecting consumer rights. It plays an irreplaceable role in warning against risks, preventing scams, and safeguarding consumers’ interests.

In the blink of an eye, the 2025 3.15 Gala has passed for a year. What is the current situation of the companies and issues that were publicly exposed? What costs have they paid for their actions?

Unsterilized Sanitary Pads: Some Have Been Deregistered, Others Severely Punished

Personal hygiene products like underwear and diapers directly affect skin health and privacy protection. If produced improperly or without proper disinfection, they can easily cause allergies, infections, and other public health risks.

The first industry scandal exposed at last year’s 3.15 Gala was the reuse of sanitary pads. Reports indicated that Liangshan Xixi Paper Products Co., Ltd. in Liangshan County, Jining City, sold inferior sanitary pads and baby diapers in large quantities. The company purchased defective products from well-known brands like Sofy and Babycare at low prices, sorted them manually, repackaged them without any sterilization process, and resold them at high prices, with profit margins reaching 300% to 500%.

According to media reports, the Liangshan County Market Supervision Bureau responded promptly after receiving feedback, visiting the company on-site. Besides penalties, Tianyancha business information showed that the company also significantly reduced its registered capital from 1 million RMB to just 10,000 RMB.

Another company, Yaheng Clothing Processing Factory in Yucheng County, was also exposed: operating in a dirty environment, producing disposable underwear and sanitary pads by hand, using alkaline water for cleaning instead of disinfection, and selling finished products without sterilization marks. After exposure, it was sealed by joint enforcement teams.

Tianyancha’s business risk data shows that Yucheng County Yaheng Clothing Processing Factory was deregistered after last year’s 3.15, effectively removing it from the market. However, deregistration does not end responsibility. Consumers who suffered health issues after using the company’s substandard products can still sue the operator for failing to fulfill liquidation obligations under the Company Law and related judicial interpretations, seeking damages for medical expenses and emotional distress.

With the implementation of new national standards in 2025, stricter controls on hygiene indicators and banned substances will be enforced. Small workshops lacking compliance awareness and neglecting consumer health will face severe legal penalties, whether deregistered or not. Consumers should remember that “deregistration ≠ exemption from liability” and keep evidence to protect their rights.

From Harassment to Full-Scale Seizures: AI Harassment and Privacy Theft Companies Penalized

In response to the privacy theft and AI voice scam companies exposed on 3.15, regulatory authorities have taken strong actions and industry rectification measures. The involved entities may be shut down or face legal accountability, with governance efforts ongoing.

Black hole-like data theft companies process 10 billion data points daily, according to insiders. For example, Zhongshan Lvxin Computer Technology Co., Ltd., was fined 1 million RMB by the Zhongshan municipal government on June 11 last year for violating online trading regulations.

For companies operating AI outbound call robots that generate human-like voices and use virtual local numbers to launch “massive bombardments,” each robot makes thousands of calls daily at a cost of only 10,000 RMB annually, yet severely infringes on user communication peace.

Core companies in the AI harassment industry chain, such as Feige Chuan Shu (Shanghai) Information Technology Co., Ltd. and Zhiyou Qing Company, were swiftly investigated and dealt with overnight. Shanghai Telecom Authority ordered telecom operators to immediately shut down related transmission lines, and virtual operator Shanghai Great Wall Mobile was required to rectify illegal activities and remove related illegal outbound calling software.

Tianyancha’s administrative penalty data shows that Sichuan Taojin Niwo Information Technology Co., Ltd., exposed at 3.15 for false or misleading commercial promotion regarding product performance, quality, and honors, was fined 50,000 RMB.

Another company, Hezhong Yilian (Chengdu) Technology Co., Ltd., was fined 50,000 RMB for violating the Advertising Law by publishing false advertisements.

Regulatory efforts extend beyond individual cases to the entire industry chain, promoting long-term mechanisms. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with provincial and municipal telecom authorities, has strengthened supervision of basic telecom and virtual operators, enforced real-name registration for phone numbers, closed loopholes in number resale, and required internet platforms to clean up illegal outbound call software.

To combat “number switching” to evade penalties, many regions have established number traceability and dynamic supervision systems, using AI to improve harassment call detection and interception, and employing digital signatures on terminals to verify caller identities. These technological measures make it difficult for companies to transfer or change entities to avoid oversight, significantly increasing the cost of illegal activities.

“Soaking” Shrimp with Chemicals: Multi-Million Yuan Fines and License Revocations

In food safety, CCTV’s 3.15 exposed some manufacturers’ illegal and excessive use of water-retaining agents during aquatic product processing. Industry insiders call this practice “soaking” or “drug soaking,” used to improve texture, extend shelf life, and increase weight.

The exposed Zhanjiang Shangfangzhou Food Co., Ltd. was fined by Suixi County Market Supervision Administration on April 14 last year, including revoking its food production license (not to be re-applied for within five years), a fine of over 2.26 million RMB, and confiscation of all involved shrimp and illegal gains.

Tianyancha’s risk info shows that the company was also listed as a seriously illegal and untrustworthy enterprise last year for false claims on labels and instructions, involving disease prevention or treatment functions, or claiming health benefits for non-health foods.

Similarly, other companies involved in “drug soaking” such as Zhanjiang Zhongqing Marine Fisheries Co., Ltd. and Zhanjiang Liangji Frozen Food Co., Ltd. were also fined, had their products confiscated, and their food production licenses revoked.

Because of license revocation and a five-year ban on reapplication, Zhanjiang Liangji Frozen Food Co., Ltd. initiated deregistration, ending its operations in the food sector under the “chemical shrimp” label.

To pursue profits, illegal companies have added chemical residues like sodium metabisulfite, sodium tripolyphosphate, and industrial alkali into seafood, which can cause stomach irritation, allergies, and burden liver and kidney functions, especially harmful to the elderly, children, and pregnant women.

Many local market supervision departments have launched special inspections, cracking down on businesses exceeding permitted additive limits, confiscating products, and imposing heavy fines. Several long-term “drug-soaked” seafood vendors have been exposed and blacklisted, with the market gradually removing these “chemical shrimp.”

All involved companies exposed at 3.15 have paid the price for their illegal activities. This not only punishes dishonest enterprises but also serves as a profound warning to the entire industry. Integrity, compliance, and quality are the core foundations for sustainable business growth. Under ongoing regulatory tightening and societal supervision, industries are expected to learn lessons, adhere strictly to laws, and genuinely protect consumer rights, providing safer and more reliable products and services.