<![CDATA[Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice]]>Next time you have a cup of ice from a drinks stall at a hawker centre, inspect it a little in case you are getting ice left behind by other patrons.


This happened on Mar 28. An old lady was collecting empty drink cans. There was a partially-filled blue plastic cup of ice. She poured the remaining ice from another cup to top up this one, and drained the excess water from the cup. She left the other plastic cups and plates on the table for the cleaners to clear. She took the cup of ice to the drinks stall vendor, who accepted it and gave her a coin.

The above were the facts. What was unclear was whether the payment was for the ice or for any other purpose. The point is, whether or not payment was made, it was wrong for the drinks stall to take back leftover ice. Not surprisingly, they did not do it when NEA officers checked on them.

To Netizens - Majority of the drinks stall vendors make an honest living and can be trusted. It’s just that ice is a significant cost in the drinks business, and it may be better to exercise caution and play safe. No harm taking a quick look at your cup of ice to see if there are any obvious food particles, saliva, or floating impurities.

To Drinks stall vendors - Spare a thought for the consumers and the kids who are none the wiser. Canned drink prices are already heavily marked-up, and consumers are paying for their cups of ice. Have mercy. No recycled ice please.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/54033/beware-drinks-stall-took-back-leftover-iceRSS for NodeTue, 05 May 2026 12:18:03 GMTFri, 05 Apr 2013 06:18:25 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Tue, 18 Nov 2014 01:24:33 GMT]]>

mabaker:
Next time you have a cup of ice from a drinks stall at a hawker centre, inspect it a little in case you are getting ice left behind by other patrons.


This happened on Mar 28. An old lady was collecting empty drink cans. There was a partially-filled blue plastic cup of ice. She poured the remaining ice from another cup to top up this one, and drained the excess water from the cup. She left the other plastic cups and plates on the table for the cleaners to clear. She took the cup of ice to the drinks stall vendor, who accepted it and gave her a coin.

The above were the facts. What was unclear was whether the payment was for the ice or for any other purpose. The point is, whether or not payment was made, it was wrong for the drinks stall to take back leftover ice. Not surprisingly, they did not do it when NEA officers checked on them.

To Netizens - Majority of the drinks stall vendors make an honest living and can be trusted. It's just that ice is a significant cost in the drinks business, and it may be better to exercise caution and play safe. No harm taking a quick look at your cup of ice to see if there are any obvious food particles, saliva, or floating impurities.

To Drinks stall vendors - Spare a thought for the consumers and the kids who are none the wiser. Canned drink prices are already heavily marked-up, and consumers are paying for their cups of ice. Have mercy. No recycled ice please.
Where is this place?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1416603https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1416603Tue, 18 Nov 2014 01:24:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Mon, 17 Nov 2014 08:33:33 GMT]]>Eew! 😞

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1416365https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1416365Mon, 17 Nov 2014 08:33:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 13:15:49 GMT]]>

limlim:
Not long ago there was this food poisoning case at geylang serai.


Forgot if it was fatal.

It could have been prevented had there been more awareness and vigilance on basic hygiene.

Perhaps, if someone had noticed the undesirable practices and blow the whistle for authorities to punish the errant hawker (even by neighbours), someone's sufferings could have been avoided.

A single fatality, is one too many.

Let's forgetting that H1N1, SARS and gang is always ready to strike.. waiting for the next unsuspecting prey..
Oh yah ... you are right, there were fatalities then. By the time the authorities checked, there were no longer any food remnants.

If anyone would like to ask people in the Facebook page or other forums to help keep a lookout, please feel free, as I have only posted it here. I think more eyes on the ground would benefit us all.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981499https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981499Sat, 06 Apr 2013 13:15:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:14:03 GMT]]>

Bedokid:
Ever seen a hawker after grating some lemon skin's bits into the big tank of lemonade drinks ,after that he dipped the whole grater with the remaining bits into the lemon drinks to clear the bits so not to waste them.


Went to Penang during December also happened to spot lip stick's stain on cup during lunch at a hotel . I told the waitress to change she just smiled and changed.

Economy rice heard the veggies just dip into water action only then can fry already.
What I heard, from suppliers/vendors supplying vege to the hawkers, is that actually they didn't even \"dip into water\".

Pick up the vege from basket, chop and throw into wok.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981478https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981478Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:14:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:11:09 GMT]]>Not long ago there was this food poisoning case at geylang serai.


Forgot if it was fatal.

It could have been prevented had there been more awareness and vigilance on basic hygiene.

Perhaps, if someone had noticed the undesirable practices and blow the whistle for authorities to punish the errant hawker (even by neighbours), someone’s sufferings could have been avoided.

A single fatality, is one too many.

Let’s forgetting that H1N1, SARS and gang is always ready to strike… waiting for the next unsuspecting prey…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981477https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981477Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:11:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 08:37:39 GMT]]>Ever seen a hawker after grating some lemon skin’s bits into the big tank of lemonade drinks ,after that he dipped the whole grater with the remaining bits into the lemon drinks to clear the bits so not to waste them.


Went to Penang during December also happened to spot lip stick’s stain on cup during lunch at a hotel . I told the waitress to change she just smiled and changed.

Economy rice heard the veggies just dip into water action only then can fry already.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981435https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981435Sat, 06 Apr 2013 08:37:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 07:57:17 GMT]]>There's stainless steel straw heehee


Use own, heehee

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000AUIN18

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981425https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981425Sat, 06 Apr 2013 07:57:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 07:42:02 GMT]]>Recycling of used straws by the fruit juice stall really happened in my JC many years back. The stall holder actually washed the straws and recycled them to cut cost.. We complained to the principal and he interfered to stop the stall holder from doing that. during that period, we actually stopped patronizing the stall and his business was actually affected. :evil:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981419https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981419Sat, 06 Apr 2013 07:42:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 06:33:20 GMT]]>Woah, thanks to everyone for sharing. Make us more aware of what to look out for. As is rightly put, \"vigilance\" is key. It is the reason why I had not named the stall. We are not out to shame the specific individuals (no matter how much they deserve it), but to create awareness.


The other reason is that NEA is supposedly continuing to make checks. If there are more than one stall doing this, they will all probably lie low now, not knowing if they are the target. NEA has all the details including the exact time, identification of the persons, etc. As we all know, hawkers can sense the presence of the officers from a mile away. The public can help by keeping an eye, or better yet capture a video of any such acts.

The old lady probably thought it was alright to simply put all the ice together, and pass it off as a full cup. And yes, she used her hand to cover the top and poured away the excess water. Let us not fault these old people for making money wherever they see opportunities. Our concern should be the hawkers who resort to questionable practices to maximize profits, despite knowing all the health risks.

It is understandable that people will be skeptical about a reported case unless they see it with their own eyes. Which is why such a forum is important, to share our collective observations so that we will keep our eyes opened. Not to worry if we don't. Aside from the eewwwwsss and yuuuucks, and unless in the most unfortunate instances, we are probably not going to die from drinking other people's saliva. :yikes:

And I hope hawkers do not justify recycling of whatever - food, drinks, straws, sauce, gravy - by claiming that they are doing it for the environment and to save Gaia. :xedfingers:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981388https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981388Sat, 06 Apr 2013 06:33:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 06:25:05 GMT]]>A Guangzhou lady who used to run eateries there but now a sg citizen complained that our cleaning of used utnesils in food courts and centres is really substandard. She said that even in Guangzhou, they will rinse with hot water and wash very cleanly unlike here where they just dump everything into a bucket of soapy water and then going thru the motion in scrubbing and rinsing.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981386https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981386Sat, 06 Apr 2013 06:25:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 05:38:26 GMT]]>I observed a hawker using her gloved hand to collect money. I asked her why's she wearing a glove to handle food and using that same gloved hand to handle money. She replied that the glove is to protect her hand. :siao: And she was serious about it. Guess she was never educated about the use of the glove.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981365https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981365Sat, 06 Apr 2013 05:38:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:23:16 GMT]]>

blueblue:
I would think it is easy to drain water from cup. Just use hands to cover cup and flip it.

And obviously the hand would come into contact with the ice. And what was the hand doing prior to such contact? if it is a cleaner, it may be dirty table cloth or bloom, dustpan or rubbish. So all the bacteria,germs, viruses would be transferred to the ice, waiting for the next unsuspecting victims.

And, the same cloth that is use to wipe birdshit off chairs, tables would be use to wipe other tables.

Some hawker are just CMI in terms of common sense..

Saw some hawkers, put on plastic glove handle food, and then when they handle money, never take off the glove! what's the point of wearing gloves then?

Some businesses are better off going bust.. if they cannot delivery proper duty of care to customers/consumers.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981343https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981343Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:23:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:15:32 GMT]]>once I went to order takeaway coffee, actually saw what the workers do to the collect cups/glass. They put the cup under a running tap, then pour away the water, and then put on a tray ready to use. There is no proper rinsing not even to say wash with detergent at all.


If there were to be outbreak or sars, h1n1 etc, the virus would definitely spread like wild fire.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981341https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981341Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:15:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:12:07 GMT]]>Everyone should do their part. If there’s opportunity, record it and post on stomp/forums.


Vigilance is our defence against unscrupulous/unethical businessman.

Create awareness.

Improve education.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981340https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981340Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:12:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 02:13:15 GMT]]>I would think it is easy to drain water from cup. Just use hands to cover cup and flip it.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981307https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981307Sat, 06 Apr 2013 02:13:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:14:28 GMT]]>

mabaker:
This happened on Mar 28. An old lady was collecting empty drink cans. There was a partially-filled blue plastic cup of ice. She poured the remaining ice from another cup to top up this one, and drained the excess water from the cup. She left the other plastic cups and plates on the table for the cleaners to clear. She took the cup of ice to the drinks stall vendor, who accepted it and gave her a coin.
Ma'am / Sir

I have several questions for you because your story sounds like an urban legend.

1. Are you an eye witness or is this a story you heard from someone?
2. Is the old lady known to have a mental condition?
3. In Singapore's kind of weather, ice that has been served will be largely melted. How many cups of leftover ice were needed to fill one cup?
4. How did she drain the excess water from the cup?
5. How many cups of ice was returned to the vendor?
6. Did she use ice from other vendors as well?
7. What did the vendor do to the cup of ice after it was returned?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981269https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981269Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:14:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:59:56 GMT]]>I thought my relative’s story of a local thai chain restaurant reusing the pineapple husk to serve pineapple fried rice is already scary enough.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981252https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981252Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:59:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:19:00 GMT]]>

CloudeeDaz:
buds:

Today is the first time i have heard about recycled straw and recycled ice. :faint:


How about recycled prata gravy? :nailbite:
But this is just hearsay.

If the vendor is unscrupulous, anything can also be recycled 😓

Yes, I heard of this before, recycling Prata gravy, :yikes: ... so now I make sure i finish off all the curry gravy... don't wanna transfer my DNA to others 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981155https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981155Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:19:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:16:46 GMT]]>

buds:
Today is the first time i have heard about recycled straw and recycled ice. :faint:

Me too.... :yikes:

Is it true? Recycling the straw and ice? :faint:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981154https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981154Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:16:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:32:57 GMT]]>

ChiefKiasu:
SAHM_TAN:

... If tabao food home don't take the plastic utensils. Use home utensils. Better yet bring own container to carry the food. Environmentally more friendly too. ...


I agree with the environmentally more friendly part. But the plastic utensils for take-out food, by definition cannot be reused. So I'm not sure if this measure can actually help prevent being served \"used\" utensils.

My intention not to prevent reuse, rather to help reduce wastage and cost.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981091https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981091Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:32:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:24:39 GMT]]>

tutormum:
... . If you are kind to them, they will appreciate it and treat you nicer.... She told me that if the customers were demanding and unreasonable etc, the chef would be informed and he would spat on the food for such customers.

Lesson learnt: Never be enemies with the person who prepares/serve your food!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981079https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981079Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:24:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:23:05 GMT]]>

SAHM_TAN:
... If tabao food home don't take the plastic utensils. Use home utensils. Better yet bring own container to carry the food. Environmentally more friendly too. ...

I agree with the environmentally more friendly part. But the plastic utensils for take-out food, by definition cannot be reused. So I'm not sure if this measure can actually help prevent being served \"used\" utensils.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981077https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981077Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:23:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:16:42 GMT]]>I will normally return anything that I don’t need to the stallholder immediately e.g. the sauce of chilli so that the other customer can have it and help the stallholder save a little cost. A little savings here and there helps them a lot. If you are kind to them, they will appreciate it and treat you nicer. If my ds did not have any money left after school, he can ask the auntie to let him have his lunch on credit and mummy will pay next time. That’s the agreement I have with them. They can even remember what are our preferences are.


On the other hand, I have an aunt who used to work as a waitress in a restaurant in a five star hotel. She told me that if the customers were demanding and unreasonable etc, the chef would be informed and he would spat on the food for such customers.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981069https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981069Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:16:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Beware: Drinks Stall Took Back Leftover Ice on Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:22:04 GMT]]>Bite the straw so that cannot recycle for other customers. At the same time don’t take extra straws. I used to tie straws into knots LOL.


Ice-cubes, ask for less ice, so that ice will most likely have melted by the time finished the drink. At the same time less wastage.

Sauces eg chilli, take just enough and best to finish. So that cannot recycle for next customer and less wastage too.

If tabao food home don’t take the plastic utensils. Use home utensils. Better yet bring own container to carry the food. Environmentally more friendly too.

If we play our part to reduce wastage maybe the service provider will be kinder to us too. At the same time we protect ourselves too heehee

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981023https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/981023Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:22:04 GMT