SFA takes action against licensee after diner finds cockroach in chilli from Food Junction stall

Submitted by Stomper MW

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The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has taken enforcement action against the licensee of a Food Junction stall after a diner found a cockroach in his chilli sauce.

Stomper MW said he visited the Yong Tau Foo stall at Food Junction - One Raffles Place last Tuesday (Dec 1), at around 1.20pm.

He recounted: "I was nearing the end of my meal and dipping the yong tau foo ingredients into the chilli sauce when I realised, 'How come there is a shiny thingy?'

"It turned out to be a dead cockroach."

According to MW, the stall's sweet sauce and chilli sauce condiments were already prepared on a tray that customers could help themselves to.

He added: "I feel disgusted and hope they discard the whole batch of chilli sauce.

"I felt that there was no point informing the stall so I Googled for the contact number of Food Junction - One Raffles Place's management. I called them to come over and see.

"The management team wanted to refund me but I declined as I was more concerned about potentially getting bacterial food poisoning.

"They also said they had informed the owner of the Yong Tau Foo stall about this matter. "

MW also reported the matter to SFA.

He told Stomp: "I am glad that there is the OneService app to report on this unpleasant matter. I received an email from SFA within a short time frame."

In response to a Stomp query, SFA said it inspected the food stall upon receiving feedback.

"We have taken enforcement action against the licensee for a hygiene lapse. We have also reminded the licensee to keep the premises free from pests at all times and to practice good housekeeping," added SFA.

"Food safety is a joint responsibility. While SFA puts in place and enforces the regulatory measures, food operators must play their part by adhering to good food hygiene and preparation practices."

Members of the public who come across any potentially errant food operator should report to SFA via its online feedback form. As part of the enquiry and gathering of evidence, SFA may engage the feedback provider for more details.

SFA also said it "will not hesitate to take enforcement action against errant food operators" if sufficient evidence is obtained.

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