TikTok produced its latest viral star this week: a Florida chef’s bright pink sauce that’s been shipped to customers across the country for $20 a bottle.
Unfortunately, 29-year-old Chef Pii has come under fire for her product, with some questioning whether it’s actually safe to eat. But the woman behind the bottles is happy to defend her business, according to a report from The Washington Postand even aspires to partner with stores and restaurants to sell more.
@chef.pii #fyp #healthadepopit #KFC #pinksauce original sound – PINK SAUCE QUEEN
People have flooded social media with reactions to the mystery sauce, described by some as “ranch-adjacent.”
On Twitter, users considered possible legal and health issues, saying they would try “just to get into the potential class action” and remembering potential buyers that “we don’t have free healthcare.”
A common refrain among online comments is the risk involved in buying a preservative-free product from a stranger that hasn’t yet been approved by the FDA and shipping it amid record-breaking temperatures across the country.
Related: Learn how to go viral on TikTok
But Chef Pii claims that she does, in fact, make the sauce in an FDA-certified commercial kitchen, not a home kitchen as some people say. And he continues to insist on the safety of the product, which can be used to dress things like fried chicken, French fries and vegetables.
“I’ve been using it and serving it to my customers for a year – no one has ever gotten sick,” said Chef Pii. The Washington Post.
People also pointed to Chef Pii’s secrecy around the sauce — she wouldn’t describe its flavor or ingredients in videos — as a red flag. But Chef Pii maintains that she doesn’t want to reveal everything about her product. He says the sauce’s vibrant pink color is all natural, but comes from the red dragon fruit, or pitaya.
“I’m like, that’s Madonna,” he told NBC News. “This is the Beyoncé of these sauces.”
Many were also concerned about the sauce’s packaging itself. The sauce began shipping on July 1st, and upon receipt, there were immediate reports of leaking bottles. Chef Pii apologized to customers who received defective bottles and changed shipping companies.
Related: Ocean Spray Gives Longboarder a Truck After TikTok Video Goes Viral
While Chef Pii admits that some of the negative comments have been hurtful, she has no plans to stop her efforts. Quite the opposite, in fact: He wants to lower the price of the sauce to make it more accessible, take steps to get it on store shelves, and even partner with a fast-food company.