In a startling turn of events, a porridge stall located in a coffee shop at Block 23, Hougang Avenue 3, has shut its doors following a viral video that revealed several rats scurrying about within the premises. This shocking footage, shared widely on social media last week, has triggered a wave of concern among customers.

The video prominently features at least five rodents on the hunt for scraps, even stopping to nibble on what appeared to be a sizable piece of meat. A voice in the background exclaims, “It’s eating the meat!”—a moment that has left many viewers horrified.

Following this incident, reporters from Lianhe Zaobao visited the stall on November 23 and discovered that it was undergoing renovations, which included replacing tiles and removing its signboard. Surprisingly, a man claiming to be the “new owner” of the stall revealed that it had faced fines in the past but assured customers that the coffee shop routinely employs pest control services. “I think the reactions are quite exaggerated,” he stated, expressing confidence that this incident would not negatively impact business.

However, regular patrons like a customer named Wang have a different perspective. Wang alleged that the so-called new owner is actually the previous proprietor of the stall, accompanied by a stall manager. “After seeing that video, I lost my appetite and chose to eat elsewhere,” he admitted. Wang also noted that the unfortunate sighting likely occurred at around 4 AM on November 20, when a supplier left ingredients outside before the stall opened, subsequently attracting the pesky critters.

Adding to the drama, during the reporters' visit, a rat was seen leaping from the stall and scrambling up to the ceiling, further alarming onlookers. Other stallholders in the vicinity acknowledged awareness of the situation but opted not to comment further.

Addressing public concerns, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) responded that initial investigations found no evidence of rat nesting within the coffee shop. However, they insisted on enhanced pest control measures for the stall, which includes increased treatment frequency and sealing potential entry points to keep rodents at bay. The SFA emphasized, “Food safety is a joint responsibility.” They reminded operators to uphold rigorous hygiene practices to avoid attracting pests.

As the community watches closely, the future of the stall remains uncertain. Will it reopen without consequence, or will the sight of those rodents become an enduring stain on its reputation? Customers await the outcome with bated breath!

This story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of food hygiene and the potential consequences businesses face when it fails. Stay tuned for further developments!