Liu Ha Shan Bakery Clears Name After Taobao Rumors Spark Public Debate
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
A dispute has erupted over allegations that Tai Hing Bakery (泰興餅家), a long-established shop in Liu Ha Shan, was passing off mainland Taobao products as locally handmade goods. The controversy began when a netizen posted on Threads claiming to have purchased Guang Su Bing from the shop, questioning the authenticity of the product based on its packaging. The shop owner, Mr. Tam, has strongly denied the allegations and uploaded video evidence of the actual baking process to clear his name.
Key Points
- A netizen claimed the 15-piece pack of Guang Su Bing appeared "machine-made" with identical size and shape, and found a sticker covering what looked like a Taobao product label
- The netizen suspected the shop was deceiving customers by selling mainland imported goods as local handmade products, saying he felt "completely fooled"
- Mr. Tam explained that a family member brought back a package of Guang Su Bing from travels, and he used the label as a sample to identify his own handmade product to younger customers unfamiliar with it
- A local resident familiar with the shop confirmed the bakery's production room is located in the alley in front of the store, and a local master makes fresh products daily
- The bakery has operated for decades on Cheng Zheng Street in Liu Ha Shan, known for traditional pastries including chicken cakes, wife cakes, and cow ear cookies
Why It Matters
This incident highlights how online accusations can quickly damage the hard-earned reputation of traditional small businesses, even without conclusive evidence. Mr. Tam's criticism that "people think they don't need to take responsibility for online comments and freely influence public opinion" reflects growing concerns about internet mob mentality in Hong Kong. The bakery's decision to respond with transparent production footage demonstrates how small businesses must now engage in digital reputation management to protect decades of craftsmanship.
This incident highlights how online accusations can quickly damage the hard-earned reputation of traditional small businesses, even without conclusive evidence. Mr. Tam's criticism that "people think they don't need to take responsibility for online comments and freely influence public opinion" reflects growing concerns about internet mob mentality in Hong Kong. The bakery's decision to respond with transparent production footage demonstrates how small businesses must now engage in digital reputation management to protect decades of craftsmanship.