I like best this comment from one Stomper, oink2210: "U really think the food you consume are prepared in the most hygienic way? Look at how your mum cook and you will know."
Quoted from Stomp:
STOMPer Karen witnessed helpers at a well-known 'tze char' or cooked food stall in Yishun carelessly preparing raw meat on the floor at the back of the stall. According to the STOMPer, the workers also dump innards and unwanted parts into the drain nearby.
She relates the incident to STOMP in an email:
"There is a tze char food stall at Block 654 Yishun Ave 4 called 妹记大排档.
"Ever since it was featured on a TV entertainment programme, its dinner crowd boomed.
"Perhaps its kitchen is overwhelmed by food orders, the stall's helpers have started to process raw food on the floor at the back of the food centre, right next to pails that held used dining ware.
"I have also attached photos which show how a kitchen helper had placed a clear sheet of plastic on the grimy floor. That same sheet of clear plastic was later placed on top of some patty he had prepared.
"Raw meats that fell onto the floor were simply picked up and tossed back into the lot, and brought back into the kitchen.
"Furthermore, when the kitchen helpers were done with their meat, they would conveniently dispose of the filthy water and unwanted animal innards onto the floor and down the drains.
"It was disgusting how bloody pools would form in the grooves of the parking lot closest to the back of the food centre.
"My family has brought this issue up to the attention of the National Environment Agency. We provided photo evidence too.
"Disappointingly, the officer assigned to this matter replied to say nothing incriminating was found.
"It is worthwhile to note that the officer had conducted a 'discreet inspection' at 8.30am on a Monday morning. Tze char stalls start work late morning and get busy towards dinner time.
"It would seem a lot more appropriate if the officer had conducted his 'discreet inspection' on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, so I am very surprised that was not done.
"I am surprised by the nonchalance of NEA in this matter, when the agency has always preached the importance of food safety and public hygiene in Singapore."
Update on 27/12: NEA punished the stall with a fine of $600 and 8 demerit points.
After reader Karen reported to STOMP that well-known food stall Mei Ji Da Pai Dang in Yishun was carelessly preparing raw meat on the ground in the back lane, the NEA investigated the matter and slapped a fine of $600 on the operator.
Last Wed (Dec 22), Karen witnessed a worker preparing raw food on the ground at the back of a 'cooked food' stall at Block 654 Yishun Ave 4.
The National Health Agency (NEA) conducted an investigation and imposed a fine of $600 on the operator of the stall, which also received eight demerit points. A stall that receives 12 points would have its license suspended for two weeks.
Responding to The New Paper's questions, the stall manager explained that the kitchen sink had malfunctioned on the day STOMPer Karen had taken the photos and sent them to STOMP.
The damaged sink has since been replaced.
Despite the investigation and punishment, patrons said they would continue to eat at the stall because the food is 'so good'.
From Soshiok.com, "$600 fine and 8 demerit points for unhygienic Zi Char stall".
