World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Low-cost factory tours used to sell overpriced health products to older people
An investigation in China found that some low-cost tours targeted older people with health-product sales.
The tours charged 80 yuan, included two meals and were limited to people aged 50 and over.
Factory visits often lasted only minutes before tour groups were taken to sales meetings or meals, where ordinary drinks or health foods were presented as cures for chronic illnesses.
Some products bought for 50 to 60 yuan were sold for 700 to 800 yuan, a markup of up to 14 times.
The sales relied on factory visits and company credentials to build trust, while companies, marketing teams and travel agencies shared roles in finding customers and selling products.
After a television programme exposed the practice, authorities in Yichun, Jiangxi, set up an investigation team; food producers remain responsible for truthful advertising even when sales are outsourced.
Regulators are urged to check these tours and hold every part of the chain accountable, while families and communities are encouraged to help older people spot scams.
A television investigation exposed low-cost tours marketed as factory visits that were used to sell older people health products at steep markups.
The tours reportedly charged 80 yuan, included lunch and dinner, and accepted only people aged 50 or older.
Factory visits often lasted only minutes before participants were taken to meetings or meals where products were promoted as treatments for chronic diseases.
Similar products reportedly cost 50 to 60 yuan to buy and were sold at events for 700 to 800 yuan.
After the programme aired, authorities in Yichun, Jiangxi, formed an investigation team overnight.
- Who
- Older people on low-cost tours, and the businesses involved in organizing tours and selling products.
- What
- Factory visits were used to promote ordinary drinks or health products as treatments for chronic diseases, at prices far above their reported wholesale cost.
- When
- Recently; the article was published on 20 October 2026.
- Where
- Yichun, Jiangxi, was identified as the location where authorities formed an investigation team. The tours involved visits to production facilities.
- Why
- The tours used factory visits and health-related sales pitches to build trust and sell products at high markups.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
CCTV exposed organizations arranging low-cost factory tours for older people and using them to promote health products.
Yichun in Jiangxi formed an investigation team overnight.
- Tour fee
- 80 yuan, including lunch and dinner
- Age restriction
- Participants had to be at least 50
- Reported purchase cost
- 50 to 60 yuan per product
- Reported sale price
- 700 to 800 yuan per product
- Investigation response
- Yichun, Jiangxi, formed an investigation team overnight
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