Fact check: Viral claims that Chinese Bistro in Atlanta was shut down for selling rat meat dishes are False

Hyderabad: Facebook users are circulating the post claiming that a Chinese restaurant in Atlanta was recently shut closed for accepting shipments of rat meat.

 The posts accompanied by an image of a transparent vacuum-sealed bag appear to be frozen rats.

The post was shared by a Facebook user Diana Love with a title, “Better Stop dinning with Chin”.

“A popular Asian/Chinese restaurant Bistro in Atlanta was closed down this morning after authorities received a tip that the owner was accepting shipments of rats and mice from a vendor to prepare dishes. The owner and his wife were arrested early this morning and charges are not known at this time. After a full search of the kitchen, authorities found, packaged rats, mice, kittens, pups… So Now U KNOW! Bon Appetite”  reads the post.

The post notched 2,000 shares.

“Y’all keep eating Chinese food. I have given up on all food imports from China. We can’t trust them,” posted another user

FACT CHECK:

There is no evidence that any restaurant in Atlanta was recently closed down for selling rat meat.

By reverse image search, we have found that the image is available on the website that sells frozen rodents for feeding snakes and other reptiles.

https://southfloridarodents.com/product/25-frozen-fuzzy-rats/

Twitter has witnessed a 900% increase in hate speech against China due to coronavirus.

Coronavirus outbreak has led to anti-China sentiment across the world especially India and the USA.

Hence, the claim is FALSE.