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[UPDATED on Tuesday, Apr. 18 at 6:30pm: The article has been updated with statements from SFA and Sheng Siong.]
A Sheng Siong customer recently found a metal pin in a pack of prawn rolls that she had bought from one of the supermarket chain's Punggol outlets.
The Facebook user, Eileen Lpy, posted about her unpleasant experience in the group Complaint Singapore on Apr. 16.
She also stated that she has emailed the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) about this incident.
"The whole pin might have been stuck in his throat!"
Photo via Eileen Lpy on Facebook.
Eileen confirmed with Mothership that she had bought two packs of Lebao Prawn Roll from the Sheng Siong supermarket at 660A Edgedale Plains, on Apr. 14.
After frying one pack of prawn rolls for her family's dinner, she cut them into pieces.
She was about to offer one to her nine-year-old brother when she saw what she thought was a "staple pin" embedded inside it.
Photo courtesy of Eileen Lpy on Facebook.
Photo courtesy of Eileen Lpy on Facebook.
Eileen told Mothership that the whole experience was "ridiculous and scary".
"If I hadn't thought of cutting it into smaller pieces, the whole staple pin might have already been stuck in his throat!" she added.
As a resident who stays in the area, she patronises the Edgefield Plains outlet regularly.
She shared that it was not her first time buying this brand of prawn rolls, although she doesn't buy it often.
Sheng Siong house brand
Netizens expressed their shock towards this unexpected discovery.
Some pointed out that Lebao is a house brand under Sheng Siong.
The label on the packet also states that the prawn rolls were manufactured in Singapore.
Photo courtesy of Eileen Lpy on Facebook.
Not her first time finding a foreign object in food
Eileen also shared that this was her second time encountering an unwanted foreign object in her food.
Last year, she found a small wooden object in her pack of economical rice, which she bought from a kopitiam in the Ubi area.
At that time, she was eating some dried beancurd fried with cabbage when she felt a sharp pain shooting through her mouth.
She found a sharp and small wooden object stuck onto the beancurd, that was sturdier than a toothpick.
Thankfully, it did not cause any serious injuries.
More cautious about food safety
These two incidents combined, though, have made her family members more cautious about what they might find in their food.
"We feel that nowadays, food safety in Singapore isn't as safe as how it used to be," she shared.
That said, Eileen mentioned that she will continue to patronise the same Sheng Siong outlet, though she will be "extra careful" before eating all of her food.
All Lebao prawn rolls recalled from shelves: Sheng Siong
A Sheng Siong spokesperson told Mothership that the supermarket has reached out to the customer and apologised for the incident.
The spokesperson added that upon learning about the incident through social media, Sheng Siong initiated a product recall of all Lebao prawn rolls from their shelves on Sunday (Apr. 16) evening.
"We place the highest value on food safety and will actively work with the authorities on the matter," the spokesperson said.
"Additionally, we have informed our supplier and will follow up on the situation to ensure the safety and satisfaction of our customers."
Enforcement action will be taken against errant food handlers: SFA
In response to Mothership's queries, SFA stated that they have received feedback on this case and are investigating the matter.
SFA shared that it may engage the feedback provider in order to get more details, and gather evidence. If sufficient evidence is obtained, it will not hesitate to take enforcement action against errant food handlers.
Additionally, members of the public who come across any potentially errant food operator can report to SFA via the online feedback form (www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback).
Top image via Eileen Lpy on Facebook.