How to ensure the safety of bullfrogs from tadpole to dinner table? Haidilao creates a traceable "Clean Frog" system

In recent years, bullfrogs have gradually become a popular ingredient in the food industry, but food safety issues surrounding bullfrogs often spark discussions. Topics such as parasite risks and veterinary drug residues frequently become the focus of consumer concern. So, are bullfrogs truly safe?

Food safety expert and PhD Zhong Kai from the Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that from a nutritional perspective, bullfrogs are a typical high-protein, low-fat white meat ingredient. The Chinese Dietary Guidelines recommend consuming seafood twice a week, and bullfrogs can also be part of a healthy diet.

Zhong Kai pointed out that parasite risks are not unique to bullfrogs. All aquatic animals, including fish, shrimp, and even aquatic plants, may carry parasites. However, under modern food processing conditions, this risk can be effectively controlled. For example, large processing companies use low-temperature freezing techniques, which preserve freshness while reducing parasite risks. After thorough cooking, consumers need not worry excessively.

Compared to parasite issues, veterinary drug residues are a more critical concern in the bullfrog industry. Some farming practices that pursue high-density breeding may increase disease incidence, leading to the use of non-standard medication.

Therefore, standardized farming and full-process management are key to solving these problems. In recent years, some large aquatic processing companies and chain restaurants have established comprehensive supply chain management systems to reduce food safety risks from the source.

In 2024, the China Culinary Association, in collaboration with Haidilao and several industry chain enterprises, released the “Technical Specifications for Bullfrog Breeding and Processing” group standard, which provides technical guidelines for bullfrog breeding, processing, and transportation. This standard not only clarifies breeding procedures but also sets specific requirements for processing, testing, and storage and transportation, offering practical technical solutions for the industry.

Regarding supply chain management, Haidilao controls food safety risks from the source through standardized breeding models. Breeding farms must meet strict water quality and environmental requirements and reduce drug use through scientific feeding and disease prevention systems.

Before being released from the pond, bullfrogs must undergo multiple testing procedures, including drug residue testing, to ensure they meet safety standards before entering processing.

On the processing side, companies use low-temperature freezing techniques to lock in freshness and nutrition, and implement batch numbering for full traceability. Each batch of bullfrogs can be traced back to the breeding farm, production time, and testing records.

Industry insiders say that with the implementation of the group standard and the gradual improvement of industry regulations, food safety management for bullfrogs will enter a more transparent and standardized development stage. For consumers, choosing brands with a regulated supply chain management system can better ensure dining safety.