12-12-2024 (SINGAPORE) A disturbing incident involving a rat inside a Gardenia bread vending machine has raised serious concerns about food safety and hygiene standards in automated food dispensing systems.
The unsettling scene, captured in a viral TikTok video on 4 December, shows a rat frantically moving about inside a Gardenia vending machine, navigating between rows of packaged bread products. The rodent’s desperate attempts to escape, including jumping into the collection tray, proved futile, leaving it trapped within the confines of the machine.
The incident, which occurred at Fernwood Towers residential complex in Marine Parade, prompted immediate action from Gardenia following public outcry on social media platforms. Social media users expressed grave concerns about consumer safety, with many questioning the legal implications should anyone fall ill from contaminated products.
Responding to the situation, Gardenia implemented a comprehensive remediation protocol. A spokesperson for the company stated that all products were immediately removed from the affected machine, followed by a thorough disinfection process. The company took additional precautionary measures by leaving the machine to dry for three days before conducting another round of cleaning prior to restocking.
To prevent future incidents, Gardenia has installed protective casings on their vending machines, specifically designed to prevent rodent intrusion. This enhancement to their existing infrastructure demonstrates the company’s commitment to maintaining high food safety standards.
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