Chinese mukbang streamer dies from overeating during live broadcast

Pan Xiaoting, known for extreme eating challenges, dies from overeating during a live broadcast.

Pan Xiaoting, a 24-year-old Chinese mukbang streamer, died during a live broadcast on 14 July due to overeating.

During the fatal broadcast, Xiaoting suddenly collapsed and died. An autopsy revealed severe abdominal deformation and a stomach full of undigested food. The cause of death was attributed to overeating, Chinese news outlet Hankyung reports.

Known for her extreme eating challenges, Xiaoting would consume food for ten hours straight without breaks. In one instance, she ate 22 pounds of food in multiple meals. Her eating habits previously led to hospitalisation for gastric bleeding, but she resumed creating mukbang content the day after her discharge, despite fans' concerns.

Mukbang, a trend where creators eat large quantities of food on camera, has been controversial due to health risks. In China, mukbang content is illegal. A 2021 anti-food waste law imposes fines of 100,000 Chinese yuan (around $15,000 USD) on media platforms for hosting content featuring excessive eating. This law followed President Xi Jinping's statement on the country's food waste problem.

Mukbang has sparked debate globally. In 2021, PewDiePie criticised YouTuber Nikocado Avocado for promoting obesity through his eating videos. Xiaoting's death highlights the dangers of such extreme content and the ongoing controversy surrounding mukbang culture.