A disturbing dining experience unfolded at a food court in the Lazada One building when a customer discovered a lizard in her soup. The incident, which took place at Food Dynasty located on the ground floor along Bras Basah Road, quickly gained attention after the customer’s family reported it to the media.
The customer had purchased a S$6.90 bowl of spinach soup during lunchtime on 18 July. According to her father, identified only as Mr Zheng, she was halfway through her meal when she noticed a fully intact lizard floating in the soup. Horrified, she immediately returned to the stall to demand an explanation, reported Shin Min Daily News
Stall Initially Denied Lizard, Claimed It Was Anchovies
Shockingly, the stall’s initial response was to insist that the creature was merely anchovies, despite the customer’s obvious distress. Only after she pressed further and asked them to inspect more carefully did they acknowledge their mistake. A refund was eventually issued.
When reporters from Shin Min Daily News followed up at the scene, a staff member at the stall confirmed the incident. Nguyen Thi Luan, a 41-year-old employee, admitted the lizard may have fallen from the ceiling and said this was the first time such an incident had occurred. She stressed that lizards are not usually found at the stall.
Apology Offered, Ice Lemon Tea Given as Goodwill Gesture
Ms Nguyen added that they had apologised to the customer and provided a cup of ice lemon tea along with the refund. They had also intended to offer their contact information in case the customer experienced any discomfort later, but admitted this was overlooked due to the lunch crowd.
Although rare, incidents like these raise concerns about hygiene practices in food establishments, especially those in high-traffic office buildings. In an environment where customers pay for convenience and cleanliness, a lapse like this could seriously tarnish a stall’s reputation.
Food Safety and Cleanliness Under Scrutiny
This incident adds to a growing list of hygiene-related issues reported in the region. A similar case recently surfaced in Malaysia where a woman found a lizard in her goreng pisang tiramisu, resulting in alleged food poisoning for her family.
While such cases are often dismissed as isolated incidents, they highlight the importance of strict cleanliness and food safety protocols. Diners are advised to report any food contamination to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to ensure proper investigation and enforcement action.
In Singapore, food safety is taken seriously, and food operators found to be negligent can face penalties including suspension, fines, or even licence revocation. For consumers, especially in the Central Business District where Lazada One is located, expectations for hygiene standards are high.
As high-CPM keywords like food poisoning, food hygiene in Singapore, and restaurant safety violations continue to trend in digital spaces, such stories not only spark outrage but also draw clicks and attention. Food stalls should be reminded that a single lapse can go viral—and potentially, viral for the wrong reasons.
Source: Shin Min Daily News