Four People in Chongqing Turn Black from Hot Pot and Are Unchanged Days Later - Restaurant Manager Suspects Item Brought by Customers

Recently, a man surnamed Yang in Chongqing invited three friends to a hot pot restaurant. After the meal, their tongues turned black. One person’s tongue is still black several days later. The restaurant manager suspects that the lemon water brought by the customers combined with the iron pot and lotus roots to create a chemical reaction, causing the discoloration. The hospital could not determine the exact cause.

Recently, a man surnamed Yang in Chongqing invited three friends to a hot pot restaurant. After the meal, their tongues turned black. One person's tongue is still black several days later.

Suspected Cause: Lemon Water Brought by Customers

The restaurant manager responded that they suspect the lemon water brought by the customers combined with the iron pot and lotus roots to create a chemical reaction, causing the discoloration. Mr. Yang posted a statement on social media, suspecting nitrite poisoning. Doctors advised them to clean and brush their tongues at home.

「Pseudo-Black Tongue」: A Common Phenomenon

Medically, there is a phenomenon known as「pseudo-black tongue」, which can be caused by food, colored beverages, or specific medications. Typically, it will fade after cleaning. A food safety expert pointed out that such incidents are not uncommon in hot pot restaurants. For example, in 2024, Chongqing Nan Hot Pot experienced a similar case, and after the incident, the restaurant confirmed that inadequate maintenance of the iron pot, not nitrite overuse, was the cause of the black discoloration.