SFA takes enforcement action against mixed rice stall after diner finds 'parasites' in meal

A man was shocked when he found 'extra ingredients' in a meal he bought from a mixed rice stall at a food court in Punggol.

The Stomper told Stomp he had visited the stall at Gourmet Paradise at Oasis Terraces on Sept 3 for dinner.

He ordered his food to-go. When his brother was halfway through his meal at home, he came across something strange in his food.

"I went back to the stall and asked what are these things in the food and they told me they were hei bi or dry shrimp (虾米)," he said.

"I told the stall operator to go check the food or throw it away but he said this hei bi is shaped like that.

"Can you tell me what is in this photo is 虾米?

"I did some research and if I'm not wrong, this is called a parasitic isopod."

The Stomper said he reported the incident to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on the same day he found the 'parasites'.

In response to a Stomp query, an SFA spokesman said: "SFA had inspected the food establishment and took enforcement action against the operator for failing to keep the licensed premises in good repair.

"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 the online feedback form.

"As part of the enquiry and gathering of evidence, SFA may engage the feedback provider for more details and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if sufficient evidence has been obtained."