Customer allegedly cracked his tooth on foreign object while eating meal from Sengkang Thai food stall

A man allegedly bit on a foreign object at a Sengkang Thai food stall and cracked his tooth, taking the dispute with the stall owner to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).

SFA said they were unable to conduct further investigations.

Speaking to Mothership, the 25-year-old intern suffered the injury after supposedly biting into a takeaway meal prepared by a Thai mookata stall on Sep. 22, 2025, at around 7pm.

In response to Mothership's queries, the SFA stated that they "had inspected the food establishment and did not detect any food safety lapse relating to foreign matter in food".

Hard stone found in food

The Mothership reader, who was a regular customer of the stall located in Sengkang, ordered a Pad Thai takeaway meal and allegedly bit into a stone.

He allegedly suffered food poisoning, diarrhoea, cuts in his mouth and a fractured tooth as a result.

However, the Mothership reader stated that he has "not undergone a formal dental assessment due to the cost".

"As an intern in Singapore, I cannot afford upfront specialist fees or dental repair costs, and therefore could not obtain a medical/dental report."

He contacted the stall owner on WhatsApp, who asked to meet him in person and file a police report.

However, the Mothership reader disagreed and instead reported the matter to SFA on Sep. 23 and 24, 2025.

He personally visited their office on Oct. 14, "where an officer measured and photographed the foreign object".

He even obtained the help of Workers' Party Member of Parliament Jamus Lim to help with representations to SFA.

SFA's findings

SFA completed its investigations on Oct. 24, 2025, writing that they will "continue to conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance to food safety".

"SFA has completed our investigations and have reminded the operator that it is his responsibility to ensure that the food he serves is free of foreign matter."

SFA noted that he did not seek medical treatment and reiterated that they had "reviewed the food preparation process by the workers of the food stall".

"There was no evidence that the stone originated from the food purchased from the Thai food stall at Sengkang."

Small Claims Tribunal doesn't deal with personal injury cases

The Mothership reader also sought a consultation with the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) alongside the stall owner, who was allegedly "dismissive and showed no remorse".

The SCT informed him that "personal injury cases fall outside SCT’s jurisdiction", and that he "would need to pursue the matter through the Magistrate’s Court".

However, the 25-year-old stated that "court proceedings are financially inaccessible" for him.

He said SFA contacted him on Dec. 19, 2025, informing him they will continue to monitor the food stall through regular inspections and may take enforcement action, only if future lapses are detected.

Still experiencing 'pain & discomfort from cracked tooth'

The Mothership reader is still experiencing "pain and discomfort from the cracked tooth" and has yet to "undergo dental treatment due to financial constraints". 

He stated that he "would likely only be able to do so if compensation from the stall owner is provided".

He still has issues chewing hard or crunchy foods and has also "developed anxiety around eating food prepared by others".

He has not received further contact from the stall owner.

In a statement, the SFA said "food safety is a joint responsibility".

"SFA takes a serious view towards food safety and will investigate all feedback alleging poor food safety practices. As part of the enquiry and gathering of evidence, SFA may engage the feedback provider for more details and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if sufficient evidence has been obtained."

Members of the public who have concerns about food safety practices by food operators should report to SFA via their online feedback form.

Top photo from the Mothership reader.