On May 23, 2010, China's central television CCTV exposed in its weekly quality report program that Midea's purple clay cooker was not made of real purple clay, but of ordinary clay with colorants. The company previously promoted the cooker as being made from purple clay. Such cookers are generally rich in iron because the clay is extracted from deep underground and is permeable.

Two days later on May 25, Midea recalled all such electric cookers and appologized to the public. "Midea has provided inaccurate information in the promotion. We sincerely apologize to customers," the company said in a statement.

 •  Midea recalls its so-called purple clay cookers