An image of some "bat meat" emblazoned with the FairPrice logo has been circulating on social media in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak worldwide, forcing the supermarket chain to come forward to debunk it.

Fake images of FairPrice bat meat

The images were originally posted to Instagram by a student designer, with a classic meme caption that he had made this "in the name of fun don't attacc mi [sic]".

The bat was featured with wings and legs poking out from underneath a FairPrice label touting the product as "Fresh Bat Meat".

The label even includes FairPrice's "Pasar" and the "Healthier Choice" logo, as well as a price.

It was so detailed, the image almost looks indisputably real.

Which had probably led to some confusion on consumers' parts.

FairPrice clarifies

FairPrice subsequently took to Facebook on Feb. 6 to clear the air.

It stated that it does not sell bat meat, and regarded the images as a "wilful act of mischief".

They also considered the images "especially insensitive" in light of the coronavirus outbreak, where there are so far 33 confirmed cases in Singapore.

To avoid unnecessary confusion and offence, FairPrice urged people to stop circulating the images.

The designer has since taken down his Instagram post.

You can view FairPrice's statement here.

Bats potential origin of virus

The designer had likely created the images after news broke that bats are speculated to be the original hosts of the new coronavirus.

As the animals are particularly tolerant to infections, they are able to pass on the viruses to other animals, which are then consumed by humans.

This revelation has led to many scorning the consumption of bats.

Restaurants in Indonesia have even taken bat dishes off the menu for fear of contracting the virus themselves.

It was announced on Feb. 7 that pangolins, a highly trafficked animal, could be a potential intermediate host between bats and humans.