A woman in China’s Jiangsu Province was left stunned after discovering a pair of scissors embedded inside a refrigerated pizza she purchased from Sam’s Club, sparking fresh concerns over food safety.
According to Chinese media, the incident occurred on August 3, when the woman bought a refrigerated pizza priced at 40 yuan (about US$5.60).
She said she deliberately chose a heavier pizza from the shelf, believing it offered better value. However, after opening the package, she discovered a large pair of scissors hidden beneath the pizza crust, with parts of the blades covered in flour.
Photos of the incident quickly spread across Chinese social media.
Some online users claimed the scissors appeared to match the type of tools commonly used in Sam’s Club food preparation facilities, leading to speculation that the item may have been accidentally mixed into the product during production.
As of now, Sam’s Club has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The case has renewed public scrutiny over the retailer’s food safety standards following a series of similar controversies in recent months.
In June, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation reportedly summoned Sam’s Club China over what it described as systemic food safety risks involving both its physical stores and online rapid-delivery service, ordering the company to implement corrective measures.
The retailer has previously faced allegations involving a live mouse found in a dessert gift box, excessive heavy metal levels in freeze-dried strawberries, pesticide residue exceeding safety limits in vegetables, as well as reports of a tooth discovered inside a cake and maggots found in packaged udon noodles.
According to China’s Black Cat Consumer Complaint Platform, more than 15,000 complaints related to Sam’s Club have been filed.
Chinese commentators have suggested the retailer’s rapid expansion in recent years may have weakened its quality control and supplier oversight, raising concerns over food safety and consumer confidence.
