Singapore – Proofer Bakery is quite a bakery. It came with lots of extras: Rats – dead and alive – and cockroaches.
This “massive pest infestation” was found in Proofer Bakery’s food preparation areas and also in its delivery trucks.
It was discovered when the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) which oversees food safety here, inspected the bakery at 171 Kampong Ampat, KA Foodlink.
That led to the agency suspending the bakery’s food operations from Oct 26 “until further notice”.
SFA, in a press release, stated that the bakery supplies Proofer Boulangerie retail outlets in Singapore. So those have also been affected.
According to Proofer’s website, these are located at Ang Mo Kio Hub, Changi City Point, Chinatown Point, Clementi Mall, Compass 1, Heartland Mall, Hillion Mall, Jurong Point, Northpoint City South Wing, Oasis Terraces, The Seletar Mall, Sun Plaza, Tampines 1, Tampines Mall, Tanjong Pagar Centre, The Poiz Centre, and White Sands.
The website also lists Yuba Hut with outlets at Hillion Mall, Bishan Junction 8, Heartland Mall, Northpoint City South Wing, White Sands and The Poz Centre; Laura at Century Square; and 300BC Bakery with outlets at Century Square, Simei MRT Station, and Pioneer MRT Station. It is not known if these are affected.
SFA announced that Proofery Bakery’s operations, located at would be suspended with effect from Oct 26 until further notice.
“We have also issued a direction to recall food products that have been distributed to Proofer’s 16 retail outlets,” noted SFA.
The agency highlighted that during an inspection of the said premises on Tuesday, a massive pest (live cockroaches, rodent activity and dead rodent) infestation was observed in the food preparation areas and in both food delivery trucks.
In addition, several lapses relating to poor maintenance of the premises were observed, said SFA.
“In the interest of public health, SFA directed the licensee to rectify the lapses and take necessary measures to improve the food safety practices and the cleanliness of its premises.”
SFA has also directed the company to recall the various food products at its retail outlets as a precautionary measure.
“Food safety is a joint responsibility as food can be contaminated anywhere along the food chain. While SFA continues to be vigilant and works to ensure that regulatory measures are in place and properly enforced, the industry and consumers must also play their part,” said SFA.
In a Facebook post on Oct 26, Proofer Boulangerie noted only that it was closed for the day for a cleaning process.
“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. Business shall resume tomorrow. Thank you, and we will see you tomorrow,” the post noted.
In response to the post, members from the online community noted that the post was somewhat misleading to say that business would resume the following day.
“Proofer can open today ar? Is Proofer misleading the public with this post?” commented Facebook user Ada Yeong, tagging the Ministry of Health.
“Such a huge lapse, and you had the gall to say business will resume tomorrow?” added another netizen.
Another regular patron commented on Wednesday (Oct 27), “I am their regular customer for years. Love their pizza. But this post has truly disappointed so many of us. They did not acknowledge the infestation, did not address the issue openly, no mention of their follow-up plans to keep hygiene standards up. The post above looks like they are closed for regular cleaning?
From what was found out, the massive infestation, it’s hard to believe that no staff noticed or voiced out to their mgmt staff. They needed a check from the authorities to deal with the problem. It looks like hygiene is not their top priority after all. From this, I doubt I’d be going back again.”
But a telephone call to its Chinatown Point outlet on Oct 28 was answered by staff who said that the clossure had indeed been for only one day. However, the website still stated that the outlet as “temporarily closed”.
SFA urges members of the public who come across poor food safety practices in food establishments not to patronise them and provide feedback via its online feedback form (www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback) with details for follow-up investigations.
“SFA will take enforcement action against food operators who do not adhere to regulations or comply with food safety requirements.”
Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to 1 year, or both.
The Independent Singapore has reached out to Proofer Boulangerie for a statement./TISG
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