A Woman's Unsettling Experience

A woman had an unsettling dining experience at the Senja Hawker Centre when she found her meal infested with maggots. Lynn, a customer, was eating at the Ah Di Claypot stall on March 12 around 7 PM when she made this grim discovery.

The Discovery of the Infestation

According to Lynn, after finishing her meal, she noticed a writhing pool of maggots on her table and even on her food tray. She speculated that the creepy-crawlies came from beneath the claypot, which she had lifted, revealing the insect infestation hidden away in the aluminum support.

Response from Stall Staff

In a shocking turn of events, when Lynn reported the incident to the stall's staff, she felt dismissed. 'I mentioned the problem to the workers, but one of them simply said she would inform her helper without any intention of inspecting the issue. Even the cleaner I approached told me to leave it for someone else to handle,' Lynn expressed in frustration. This incident prompted her to file a report with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) that same night.

Management's Reaction

A spokesperson from FairPrice Group, which manages the hawker centre and its stalls, responded to the public outcry, stating, 'Kopitiam prioritizes a safe and clean dining environment for all our patrons. Following this isolated incident, we conducted a thorough inspection and have issued a warning to the stall involved.'

Hygiene Measures to be Enhanced

To further assure patrons, the spokesperson revealed that enhanced monitoring procedures have been put in place across all stalls to uphold hygiene standards, alongside reinforced washing protocols throughout the facility.

SFA's Investigation Findings

In their investigation, the SFA reported that while they did not find a pest infestation during their visit, they discovered other food safety lapses within the stall. They emphasized the importance of operators maintaining clean premises and adhering to rigorous food safety practices.

Encouraging Public Reporting

The SFA also encourages the public to report any concerns related to food safety. 'Food safety is a joint responsibility, and we investigate all feedback losing no time in taking enforcement action if warranted,' they stated.

Conclusion

This incident raises serious questions about the hygiene practices at local food establishments and highlights the need for strict adherence to food safety standards to protect diners and maintain public health. If you ever find yourself facing a similar situation, don’t hesitate to bring it to the attention of health authorities to ensure that such lapses are addressed quickly. Your safety could be at stake!