iTea offers customer complimentary drink after she finds 'fingernail' in her milk tea

Drinks outlet iTea has responded to an incident where a customer found what she believes to be a fingernail in a drink she had ordered from the bubble tea chain's Tampines Street 21 outlet.

Stomper Dorothy told Stomp she had bought a cup of oreo milk tea from iTea at Block 201D Tampines Street 21 on Feb 21.

"While drinking it, I felt something sharp," she said.

"I spat it out and realised it was a fingernail!

"This is so disappointing as this has been my go-to drink since when I was a student as it's affordable.

"I hope iTea can do something about this matter."

Dorothy told Stomp she reported the matter to iTea as well.

In response to a Stomp query, a spokesman from iTea gave the following statement:

"The mentioned reader also wrote to us on 21 Feb evening regarding the incident & we replied her email on 22 Feb morning. 

"As a responsible food and beverage operator, it is our priority to ensure that all our outlets adhere to the required food quality & safety standard & beyond. 

"Our full-time outlet colleagues are sent for WSQ Basic Food Hygiene course before they start drink preparation at our premises. 

"As part of our standard operating procedure, we conduct regular housekeeping check at all outlets monthly.  

"Following this customer's email, we have shared the incident with our colleagues and reminded them on the importance of thorough cleanliness.  

"It is, however, regrettable that such an incident has occurred despite our care and vigilance. 

"We responded to this customer's email with an apology for her unpleasant encounter, assured her that our outlets adhere to stringent hygiene standard and thanked her for her feedback. 

"We also invited her back to the outlet to enjoy a complimentary drink on us, but did not hear from her until we received your email last evening."