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According to the Xinhua Daily Telegraph, the ongoing controversy surrounding Luo Yonghao's complaints about Xibei's pre-prepared meals has brought the industry's long-standing trust crisis to the public's attention. Consumers' concerns about the safety, nutritional value, and value of pre-prepared meals stem from a long history of information opacity, widely varying standards, and inconsistent regulatory enforcement. To regain consumer trust, pre-prepared meals need to be exposed to the public eye. Pre-prepared meals are not a scourge; they were once considered conducive to the standardization of Chinese cuisine, improving efficiency, and reducing costs. Consumers are resisting not innovation in business and service models, but rather the perceived deprivation of choice and the disregard for their right to be informed. Many catering companies are concealing the use of pre-prepared meals and selling them as "freshly made," exacerbating the consumer trust crisis. While the State Administration for Market Regulation and other departments have issued a notice clarifying that preservatives are not permitted in pre-prepared meals, due to varying local standards and regulatory oversight, there are no firm controls on the use of additives in pre-prepared meals. It's worth noting that national regulations don't include dishes prepared in central kitchens within the scope of pre-prepared meals. However, many consumers simply assume that anything not freshly made is pre-prepared. While these vendors' justifications for "not being pre-prepared" are legal, they fail to meet consumers' expectations for the smoky, homey flavor of "hot-pot" cooking. Breaking this trust dilemma requires a multi-faceted effort. Regulatory authorities should strengthen food safety oversight of pre-prepared meals, standardizing the use of food additives and ensuring safety. Restaurants should also promote clear labeling of pre-prepared meals, ensuring consumers clearly understand whether they are pre-prepared. Only by eliminating fraud through transparency, replacing disorder with standardization, and prioritizing quality over cost can pre-prepared meals overcome their trust crisis and become a safe and convenient dining option for modern consumers. This transformation requires the perseverance of businesses, the diligence of regulators, and the critical scrutiny of consumers. The road to rebuilding trust is long, but pre-prepared meals lack this foundation.