A recent post on Twitter by @nurattiqahg has sparked widespread concern after she revealed she almost swallowed a staple wire while breaking fast.
In her post, she described the incident: “Nearly swallowed a staple wire. It ended up perfectly inside the tepung pelita. Are food hygiene laws still being enforced? It feels like they’re being ignored… so frustrating! It’s dangerous to swallow something like this. I hope this famous tepung pelita seller takes note. Don’t make business easier for yourself but risk customers’ lives. Yes, it’s my fault for still buying. I definitely won’t buy food that uses staples like this again.”
The thread quickly drew strong reactions from Malaysians, many of whom said the issue has persisted for years.
One user, @ryujeee_, commented: “I think the staple issue was already noisy 2–3 years ago. Many traders have already changed to non-stapler methods for tepung pelita. I don’t know why these people are so stubborn and refuse to follow.” Another added, “This has long been not allowed. Still want to use it.”
Others highlighted the potential danger of swallowing a staple. @ainumairahni wrote: “If you swallow a staple wire, it becomes ‘one taste, regret for years’.” She later added: “Allahuakbar, it’s so dangerous. A life cannot be bought at the bazaar. It is not allowed to use staplers at all, it is clearly mentioned in the food handling course.”
Concerns were also raised about weak enforcement. @ghosthunterxz claimed, “The majority have now gone back to using staplers. Here too, almost all use staplers. There is no enforcement unless we make a complaint. So please make a complaint.”
Meanwhile, @farihah_farosa urged action through official channels, saying: “Report to SISPAA KKM. Inshallah there will be further action. I don’t think they never attended the food handler course — most of them have. They just refuse to change.”
The incident has reignited calls for stricter compliance and monitoring of food hygiene standards, particularly during Ramadan bazaars.
