'Sweat flavouring': TikTok fried chicken seller called out over hygiene concerns
"That's the topping you secretly love," one commented.
A home-based fried chicken seller is facing a backlash after his TikTok live stream sparked hygiene concerns over his handling of the meat with bare hands and long delays between cooking and delivery.
The debate took place on Reddit, where netizens criticised his food safety practices. According to the original poster, the fried chicken was boxed at around 10.30am, before the sauce was prepared, but deliveries only started at 4.30pm.
"At least 6 hours has passed. Is this safe?" the Redditor questioned.
Mocking the fried chicken seller as a "self-claimed chef", the Redditor also called the potential sweat and nail dirt "extra seasoning", warning others of foodborne risks.
"Tongs? Glove? Any utensils are way better than the way he handles the food," the Redditor said. He also sarcastically alluded to "the extra umami-ness that box of chicken would have near the Hello Kitty pants".
According to the Singapore Food Agency's (SFA) public health guidelines, residents running home-based food businesses must follow strict hygiene practices. This includes wearing face masks and gloves when preparing or handling food, whether raw or cooked.
'This one still not that bad': Netizen
One netizen recounted their own experience with the TikTok seller. "When he first started, I asked him on his live where the glove was," he said, adding that he was insulted and blocked.
Some netizens tried to put things in perspective, with one comparing it to a coffee shop: "The guy makes prata with bare hands, you still eat right?"
Another recalled a previous experience with another seller. "A few years ago, got one Facebook dude selling cooked food exposed to air for hours," they wrote, adding that the seller was smoking at the same time
Others raised concerns about home-based business owners who keep pets. "I can't imagine how they would keep the place clean with their pets," one Redditor commented.