China's O2O food-delivery company is under investigation after the "315 Gala" on March 15, 2016. [Photo: news.163.com]

Shanghai Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday that it has officially initiated an investigation towards Eleme, a domestic online-to-offline food-delivery company, for its violation of the Food Safety Law exposed by the annual "315 Gala" yesterday.

Eleme was also fined 120,000 yuan, or around 18,408 US dollars, for violating the Food Safety Law last November.

China Central Television (CCTV) hosts the evening gala on March 15 annually to mark World Consumer Rights Day.

According to this year's "315 Gala" on CCTV, some of the Beijing restaurants that Eleme works with are operating without licenses or proper kitchens. The company allowed some restaurants to upload fake photos or addresses of their restaurants.

Eleme said on its official Weibo account after Tuesday night's show that it will remove all restaurants with violations from its online platform and review all of its restaurants' qualifications.