[This letter was contributed to us by housewife Chew Li Zhen]
Dear SureBoh admins,
I hope you can help me publish this letter on your site.
I found out on the Internet that Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh (Pork Rib Soup) outlet in Bedok will be closed for two weeks starting today (30 May) for violating food hygiene rules.
I know that the suspension is legit because of what happened, as explained by their founder Mr Jabez Tan.
https://www.facebook.com/soonhuatbakkutteh/photos/a.377125592409601.1073741829.349936801795147/1366072680181549/?type=3&theater
He said in a Facebook post that the incident where workers were preparing food on the floor was actually where the frozen raw pork ribs sealed in plastic bags were left in a plastic container to thaw.
“At no times were the food exposed or at risk of being exposed to the floor. As the food weighed more than 30kg, it is difficult for our staff to lay them on the table for thawing. Further to this, we had assumed that the bucket used to store the pork ribs, in addition to the fully sealed bags, would suffice to protect our food against contamination from the ground.”
He also said they have understood a more acceptable practice from NEA is to place the bucket on a raised platform of at least 6 inches above ground.
I see a few negative remarks about Mr Tan’s explanation of the suspension. But I think for him to come out and publicly acknowledge the mistake and promise to do better is already quite a positive move. It shows honesty and courage.
If you readers have been to Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh, like me, you would know that the restaurant is a social enterprise who believe in ex-convicts and offer them a second chance in life.
Hopefully Singaporeans can give them a second chance and support their cause and business when they reopen on 13 June.
Chew Li Zhen, 46, Housewife
