Controversies

Caught in "cadmium rice" scandal, response criticized as unclear

In 2013, media reported that Pearl River Beer might have purchased cadmium-tainted rice from Hunan as a beer ingredient. Pearl River Beer clarified that the supplier involved was not its supplier, but admitted that in 2009–2010 it had purchased about 10% of its rice from a Xiangtan supplier and did not fully explain the cadmium testing situation; its response was criticized as "clarifying without being clear." In 2023, its pure draft beer again drew consumer questions over shelf life and ingredients including rice and edible flavorings. No administrative penalty was seen; brand image was affected.