fried โRat Found in Fried Chicken at Penang Food Stall, Prompting Closures
GEORGE โTOWN, PENANG – A customer atโฃ a nasiโ campur โฃ (mixed rice) stall in Penang, Malaysia, โdiscovered a fried rat mixed with their fried chicken order, triggering a health inspectionโ and the โtemporaryโฃ closure ofโ 13 food stalls atโค the Jalan Utama Street Food center. The incident, reported by a nurse from Penang General โขHospital, has raised seriousโ concernsโ about hygiene standards โฃat the popular food court frequented by โฃhospital โstaff.
The revelation occured when the customer noticed the distinct shape of a rodent within a container of browned fried chicken. Photographs circulating online and in local media โคclearly show theโ friedโ rat alongside the chicken pieces. Theโ nurse promptly alerted the Penang Health Department and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
A subsequent inspection revealed numerous hygiene violations, including aโฃ notable presence ofโค rat โฃdroppings โขand cockroaches โฃaround the food planning and sales โareas. Consequently, the MBPPโ ordered the nasi campur stall, alongโ with 12 othre vendors – selling apom (a type of pancake), chicken rice, Javanese noodles, fried chicken,โ kebabs, mixed rice, and beverages – to close for 14 days โfor thorough cleaning and further inspection.
“The Penang city governmentโค has โคordered the temporary โclosure โฃof food stalls for two weeks for thorough cleaning and further inspection. We will not โcompromise on foodโค hygiene,” an MBPP spokesperson stated.
The Jalan utama Street Food centerโข is aโ well-known dining spot for medical personnel due to its proximity to Penang โGeneral Hospital. Following the incident, several hospital staff membersโ expressed reluctance to patronize the food court. “After finding out there where fried rats there, Iโ was really disgusted and didn’t โฃdare eat any more,” one medical โขworker, a regular customer, told local media.
the incident underscores the importance of stringent โfood safety โregulations and regular inspections to protect โpublicโข health.Authorities โhaveโค confirmed they will continue to monitor theโ situation and ensureโ the food stalls meet required hygiene standards before reopening.
