A mother shared a frightening experience after her four-year-old daughter accidentally ate a moldy curry puff purchased from an elderly street vendor. The incident occurred at a local coffee shop in Sibu during dinner, where the family noticed an older man selling a large, heavy basket of pastries.
Feeling sympathetic, the mother’s husband bought a box of four curry puffs for RM5, thinking it was a kind gesture. “Honestly, I was hesitant to buy it, but I thought, ‘What’s wrong with helping the elderly?’” the mother said.
The family only realized the danger once they got home. After giving her daughter one of the pastries, the child complained that it tasted sour. Upon closer inspection, the mother discovered the pastries were moldy, black, and fuzzy. Shockingly, her daughter had already eaten half of one.
The mother expressed her anger and frustration: “I wanted to go find the elderly person. I didn’t care whether he was pitiful or not.” She warned other parents not to automatically trust or sympathize with vendors, even if they appear vulnerable.
The elderly vendor had reportedly told the family he had no family and insisted they buy something before leaving. Despite this, the mother emphasizes that kindness should not come at the expense of safety.
She added, “I hope my daughter will be okay. I’m worried that eating half a moldy pastry could have serious consequences for her.”
This incident serves as a reminder for parents and consumers to remain cautious, even when motivated by goodwill.
