NEA, SFA to take enforcement action over rat in Tangs Market food court

SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said enforcement action will be taken after a video of a rat on a food tray at an Orchard Road food court surfaced on social media.

In a joint statement on Tuesday (Nov 27), both agencies said they were aware of the video, which shows a rat on a food tray at Tangs Market, located in the basement of Tang Plaza.

"Immediately upon learning about the incident, SFA and NEA officers conducted two rounds of joint inspection at Tangs Market, where the officers inspected takeaway food shops as well as common areas and ceiling for signs of pest and rat infestation."

NEA will take enforcement action against the building management of Tang Plaza for rat infestation in the ceiling areas, while five food shops found with hygiene lapses will face action by SFA.

"Food safety and vector control is a joint responsibility. While agencies put in place and enforce regulatory measures, operators and premise owners must play their part too," said the agencies.

"SFA and NEA will continue to monitor the effectiveness of measures taken by the parties involved to safeguard food safety and eradicate the rodent issue. 

The video, which first made its rounds online on Monday, shows the rat on its side on a food tray at Tangs Market, a food court operated by the Fei Siong Group.

The rat then twitches and moves its legs, garnering the attention of a few food court patrons. It is not known when the video was taken.

CNA has contacted Tangs Singapore and the Fei Siong Group for more information.