Instant, self-heating hotpot has become the latest food craze in China. However, it's also raising safety concerns at the same time, reports the Workers' Daily.

An advertisement for instant, self-heating hotpot [Screenshot: tmall.com]

Priced between 20 to 50 yuan, the hotpot set generally contains a heat pack which can be activated by room-temperature water. It can then generate enough heat to steam a small bowl of ingredients for 10 to 20 minutes.

However, researchers with Southwest University say the heat pack remains a major safety concern for consumers.

"A heat pack usually contains calcium lime. When this is combined with water, the temperature in the hotpot's plastic container can reach up to 90 degrees within 10 seconds. This can deform the container, which runs the risk of hurting people, and may even lead to an explosion," said researchers at the school.

Meanwhile, the ingredients in the hotpot pack, which commonly contains meat, vegetables and a base soup, are being questioned about whether they comply with China's food-safety standards and requirements.

The report in the Workers' Daily also claims that the self-heating hotpot has not obtained a legal production license from Chinese food authorities.