A shocking breach of hygiene has surfaced at Queensbay Mall’s popular food court in Penang, where a hawker from a laksa noodle stall was caught on camera tasting soup directly from a boiling pot with a ladle—and then returning the same ladle to the pot to continue stirring.
The video, recorded by a customer and shared online, immediately sparked outrage across social media. Netizens condemned the stall operator for blatant disregard for food safety, accusing him of putting diners’ health at risk.
Footage shows the man, busy at his stall, using a large ladle to taste the soup. This “spit-in-the-soup” practice violates basic food hygiene standards and risks spreading bacteria and viruses to unsuspecting customers. From a public health perspective, the act greatly increases the chance of infection and undermines professional standards in the food industry.
Social media reactions were swift and intense, with users describing the behaviour as “disgusting” and unacceptable, especially in a well-known food court. In the wake of heightened hygiene awareness following the COVID-19 pandemic, such actions not only disrespect patrons but also threaten the reputation of the food centre, which has long been a culinary landmark in Penang.
Many netizens are now calling on the Penang Health Department and local authorities to investigate the incident and take strict measures. As a city celebrated for its culinary culture, the hygiene practices of food vendors directly impact Penang’s tourism image. Experts warn that ignoring such behaviour could trigger a series of negative consequences, highlighting that food safety is a matter of life and health. Hawkers must be held accountable, retrained, and reminded to prioritise the wellbeing of their customers.
