On September 15th, Malaysian bakery chain Bakers Cottage revealed that some of its mooncakes exported to Singapore had tested positive for high levels of E. coli bacteria. The news has sparked concerns over food safety, prompting the bakery to issue a public statement addressing the situation.
Bakers Cottage clarified that it had adhered to all of the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) standards before exporting the mooncakes. The bakery ensured that all production and handling processes were in line with SFA's strict safety regulations, aiming to maintain high quality during production.
However, according to The Straits Times, the likely cause of the contamination was mishandling during transit and storage at a third-party warehouse. This improper handling may have compromised the mooncakes' quality, leading to the elevated E. coli levels detected in Singapore.
The Bakers Cottage Group operates over 150 halal-certified outlets across Malaysia and has a reputation for maintaining stringent quality controls. In response to the incident, the company reiterated its commitment to product safety and assured customers that they are taking steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
We deeply regret this situation and are taking quick action to fix it, Bakers Cottage stated. Well, put new measures in place to make sure this doesn't happen again and to keep our products safe and high-quality.
The SFA has since issued a warning about the dangers of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. This type of bacteria can cause serious intestinal illness, resulting in symptoms such as severe diarrhea and vomiting. In more vulnerable individuals, particularly those with weakened immune systems, the infection can even lead to life-threatening kidney failure.
While Bakers Cottage is actively addressing the situation and implementing new safety protocols, this incident underscores the importance of careful food handling at every stage, from production to final delivery. By taking immediate steps to correct the issue, the bakery chain aims to restore public trust and ensure the continued safety of its products.
Source: Facebook
