SINGAPORE – The National Environment Agency (NEA) has indicated that it will be taking action against NTUC FairPrice and the management of Hougang Mall for having rats on their premises.
This comes after a video posted on Facebook by a shopper showed that a rat had chewed through loaves of bread at the FairPrice supermarket in Kang Kar Mall, which is located next to Hougang Mall.
The video, which shows the rat scampering away after being discovered, has been shared over 5,500 times since it was published earlier this week.
According to The Straits Times, NEA conducted an inspection on Wednesday (June 2) and detected five new burrows in an external area under the purview of Hougang Mall’s management.
The Straits Times also reported that signs of rat activity, such as rat droppings, were found at FairPrice’s Kang Kar Mall outlet.
“NEA is requiring NTUC (FairPrice) and both mall managements to step up their rat control measures,” an NEA spokesman was quoted as saying.
The authority reportedly has also advised the relevant parties on proper refuse management and how to prevent rats on their premises.
NEA had reportedly also received five cases of feedback on rat activity in Kang Kar Mall since the start of the year.
No signs of rat activity were detected on the premises in previous inspections.
Two weeks ago, however, NEA detected two burrows in the external area. Those burrows were treated after the authority alerted Hougang Mall’s management.
Food retail establishments could be fined up to $2,000, while managements of malls could face a fine of up to $5,000 for pest infestations.
ljessica@sph.com.sg
