KUCHING: A screw was discovered in a bowl of mushroom soup served at a Western restaurant here, triggering fears over food safety.
The incident, reported to the Consumers Association of Sarawak (CAS), involved a woman and her daughter who were sharing the dish when the object was found.
“Food safety is not optional but a responsibility every food operator must uphold, and incidents like this reflect serious lapses,” said CAS President, Dr Wynson Ong.
The consumer reportedly scooped a spoonful of soup containing an unknown foreign object into her mouth, realized something was wrong, and immediately spat it out.
“Although no physical injury occurred, the incident caused significant emotional distress and raised concerns over hygiene standards and potential health risks associated with contaminated food,” he said.
Ong stressed that discovering a metal object such as a screw in food cannot be dismissed as minor negligence, highlighting deeper issues in kitchen management and quality control.
Both individuals sought medical examination as a precautionary measure and are currently awaiting reports to ensure that there are no adverse health effects on them.
Despite the business covering medical expenses, the CAS maintained that post-incident actions do not address the root cause of the lapse in food safety practices.
Ong added that the association has formally intervened and is demanding a full explanation from the business, including the cause and corrective measures taken.
He emphasised the need for strict hygiene practices, regular equipment inspections, and improved monitoring processes to prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future.
The CAS also urged all food and beverage operators to prioritise consumer safety, warning that even seemingly minor negligence could result in serious or irreversible consequences.
He said they will continue monitoring the case closely and stand ready to take further action to safeguard consumer rights and public health.
