NEA to take action against Hotpot Culture for flouting hygiene regulations

SINGAPORE: The restaurant where a rat carcass was found in a buffet dish has been ordered by the National Environment Agency (NEA) to carry out intensive pest control treatment".

Another two rats have been caught at Hotpot Culture, a restaurant located at Marina Square, since it was ordered to suspend operations by the NEA after a diner filed a complaint.

During NEA's investigations, it found somedried rat droppings on the floor of the restaurant's storeroom and in the kitchen's false ceiling. A gap was found in the wall of the storeroom near the ceiling, and another one in the false ceiling. These could be possible points through which rats can gain access into the kitchen, NEA said.

Besides carrying out pest control treatment, NEA has also ordered Hotpot Culture to seal up potential entry points for rats, and ensure that proper housekeeping, food storage and waste management practices are followed.

The agency also said it will continue to monitor the pest control treatment and hygiene practices at the restaurant.

Enforcement action will also be taken against the restaurant, NEA said.Under the Environment Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations, licensees who sell food which is unclean can be fined up to S$2,000 and issued six demerit points.

"Operators of food establishments have a duty toensure their premises are clean and free from pests byputting in place a good cleaning regime and an effective pest control programme," NEA said, adding that it takes lapses seriously and will not hesitate to take errant operators to task.

Members of the public are advised to report such incidents by calling NEAs 24-hour Contact Centre at 1800-CALL-NEA (1800-2255-632).

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NEA to take action against Hotpot Culture for flouting hygiene regulations