Ordering meals from food establishments in Singapore is a common practice for many individuals, whether it’s grabbing a quick lunch or enjoying a delicious dinner. The bustling food scene in Singapore offers a wide variety of options, ranging from hawker centers to high-end restaurants. H
owever, despite the stringent food safety regulations and the efforts of food establishments to maintain cleanliness and hygiene, incidents of foreign objects being found in food can still occur, leading to an unpleasant and sometimes dangerous dining experience.
Fish Hook at Amoy Street
According to Shin Min Daily News, Recently, a disturbing incident took place at the renowned Amoy Street Food Centre, where a customer’s meal was tainted by the presence of a fishhook in her soup. On the fateful day of May 9, 2023, Ms Zhang, a 36-year-old woman, decided to order fish soup for her lunch. She opted for takeaway to enjoy the meal at her workplace, unaware of the unpleasant surprise that awaited her.
As Ms Zhang reached the bottom of the plastic takeaway container, she noticed a dark object among the remnants of her meal. At first glance, she dismissed it as a fried shallot, a common ingredient in fish soup. However, upon closer inspection, she was shocked to discover that the object was actually a small, rusty fishhook. The sight of the fishhook in her soup left her horrified, realizing the potential danger it posed if accidentally consumed.
In response to the distressing incident, Ms Zhang felt compelled to report the matter to the relevant authorities.
However, she chose not to disclose the name of the fish soup stall to the media. It was revealed that the stall was a renowned establishment with a daily queue of eager customers. Ms Zhang expressed her concerns, emphasizing the disastrous consequences that could arise if someone unknowingly swallowed a fishhook.
When confronted by a reporter from Shin Min Daily News, the stall owner expressed surprise and issued a heartfelt apology for the distress caused to Ms Zhang. He explained that fishhooks can sometimes be hidden within the gills of the fishes, making it necessary for them to exercise extra caution during the cleaning process. The stall owner acknowledged the stall’s negligence and took full responsibility for the incident.
He assured that this was an unprecedented occurrence in the stall’s 40 years of operation. As a gesture of goodwill, the owner offered Ms Zhang a complimentary bowl of fish soup or a refund if she decided to visit the stall again.