A diner in Hong Kong has filed a complaint after discovering a newborn rat in her takeout meal. The customer ordered a beef rice noodle dish from Wa Jer Restaurant in Kwai Chung on Monday and was horrified to find a pink, hairless rodent squirming in the satay sauce.
Video footage of the incident, which quickly circulated online, shows the creature appearing to struggle. The customer immediately contacted the local Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, which has launched an investigation into the matter.
Authorities have seized the food for testing and inspected the restaurant premises. A spokesperson for the department stated that preliminary findings indicated unsatisfactory hygiene conditions. The investigation is covering various aspects, including food preparation, packaging, storage, and delivery.
"At this stage, it is inappropriate to jump to conclusions as to when and how the baby rat got into the food based solely on online video clips or the finding of a suspected baby rat in the food," the spokesperson said.
Wa Jer Restaurant, which has been in operation for just over a year, has not previously reported issues with vermin. The operator acknowledged that rodents are occasionally present in the area but claimed the establishment undergoes monthly deep cleaning. The restaurant temporarily closed on Tuesday for further cleaning and disinfection.
