On 7/9, a customer bought a takeout meal from Wa Jer restaurant for 44 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 147,000 VND). The order included satay beef rice noodles, ham and fried egg, and a drink. Upon opening the food box, she found a live baby rat nestled among the noodles, its body submerged in satay sauce.

The customer immediately reported the incident to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) in Hong Kong, preserving the food box as evidence. An FEHD inspection of the restaurant revealed unsanitary conditions in several areas. An FEHD representative confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated against the establishment, in line with food business regulations.

Mike, the owner of Wa Jer restaurant, expressed surprise, stating the incident was "truly unexpected". He noted that in over one year of operation, the restaurant had not received any previous complaints about rodents or insects in takeout orders.

Mike acknowledged that the restaurant's location in an industrial area sometimes leads to rodent sightings. He maintained that the premises undergo regular cleaning and disinfection. Following this incident, he committed to increasing the frequency of hygiene inspections.

Video of the noodle box with a live baby rat, posted by the customer. Source: Sandysin_victorys/Threads.

Hong Kong food safety regulations strictly prohibit the presence of rats or insects on food business premises. Violators face prosecution, fines up to 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 33 million VND), and potential imprisonment for three months. The FEHD can also order the immediate closure of establishments if conditions pose an instant health risk.

Rodents are a significant source of food contamination. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that they can transmit pathogens to food through feces, urine, or saliva. These pathogens include Salmonella, a bacterium known to cause intestinal diseases.

Mai Phuong