Kaohsiung KTV Investigated After Customer Reports Suspected Rodent Damage to Utensils

A KTV establishment in Kaohsiung's Zuoying District has been accused by a customer of providing plastic spoons that appeared to have been gnawed by rodents. The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau stated that while an inspection did not reveal direct evidence of rodent infestation, it did identify lapses in environmental sanitation. The business has been ordered to make improvements within a specified timeframe, or face fines under the law.

A customer posted on the social media platform Threads, claiming that while dining at the KTV, they discovered holes in a disposable spoon that looked like rodent bite marks, raising concerns about food hygiene. The customer noted that their four-year-old child had already used the spoon to eat. When the issue was reported to staff, the employees did not deny the claim but merely offered to replace the spoon or the meal, which the customer felt was an inadequate response.

The Kaohsiung City Health Bureau stated in a press release today that after receiving the specific complaint, they dispatched personnel to inspect the premises. Although no signs of rodent vectors were found on-site, inspectors discovered that the work area was not kept clean and some food items in the refrigerator were not properly packaged. The operator has been ordered to rectify these issues, or face fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$200 million.

The Health Bureau noted that after receiving the report on the 18th, they visited the KTV on the 19th. The operator informed inspectors that they had indeed received complaints from consumers but could not determine the exact cause of the spoon damage. They had provided a refund to the customer, discarded all opened utensils from the same batch, and switched to using metal spoons for customers.

The Health Bureau emphasized that food service establishments must implement effective pest control, install rodent-proofing facilities, and adhere to the principles of 'preventing rodents from entering, eating, and nesting.' They urged businesses to properly cover food and waste, and to strengthen environmental and equipment cleaning to ensure food safety. Citizens who discover potential food safety issues are encouraged to report them via the 1999 hotline or the Health Bureau's Food Hygiene Division.