Koufu says dark particles in dessert are brown sugar residue, but diner still believes they are ants
A woman was eating tau suan at a food court when she noticed what she believed were ants in the dessert.
Stomper Yuet said she frequents Koufu at Toa Payoh HDB Hub and has eaten the same dessert in the past.
Recounting her visit at 2.39pm on July 17, she said: "I was eating tau suan from the dessert stall at Koufu and I saw so many ants lying inside.
"I have eaten there before and didn't really notice this. But this time, it was so obvious there were so many little ants there.
"I did a Google search about this Koufu outlet and found that there was a cockroach found in their wanton noodles."
In a photo that Yuet shared with Stomp, small dark particles can be seen in the dessert.
In response to a Stomp query, a Koufu spokeswoman told Stomp: "The management has investigated thoroughly and the particles in the tau suan dessert are not ants. They are residue from the brown sugar, which are from coarser sugar particles, hence causing sugar to not be melted completely, or have some sugar residue.
"We have given this feedback to our brown sugar supplier and are working with them to ensure the consistency of our sugar size as per our recipe, so that we can keep our dessert to the liking of our consumers.
"Rest assured there are no food safety issues with this."
On July 24, Yuet received an email from Koufu offering an explanation and a refund.
However, the Stomper remains unconvinced.
"This is not my first time eating the same food there. Last time there was no such thing, hence I don't agree that it is brown sugar residue," Yuet told Stomp.
"Let the public be the judge of this case - is it brown sugar residue or ants?"
In response to a query, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said it is looking into the matter.
A spokesperson told Stomp: "Food safety is a joint responsibility. While SFA puts in place and enforces the regulatory measures, food operators must play their part by adhering to good food hygiene and preparation practices.
"Food operators should also ensure their premises are clean and well-maintained."
SFA said they take a serious view towards food safety and will investigate all feedback alleging poor food safety practices.
As part of enquiries and gathering of evidence, SFA may engage the feedback provider for more details and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if sufficient evidence has been obtained.
Those with concerns about food safety practices by food operators should report them to SFA on its website.
