BY NOW, most of you will have heard or read about the spot of bother that a (now former) staff at Aunty Anne’s pretzel shop has found herself in.
A video of a kitchen staff kissing the pretzel dough had gone viral, leading to netizens raising a ruckus about hygiene and food safety standards.
Aunty Anne’s has since issued a statement on its Facebook page stating that it has temporarily closed the MidValley outlet for disinfecting of the premises (it has since re-opened).
While it is to be commended that the FnB (food & beverage) enterprise react quickly to the bad publicity, the disinfecting of the entire premises is a bit over the top. Was the staff in question infected with a transmissible disease?
The statement further noted that the offender has been immediately terminated for breaking hygiene protocols. Of course, that is to be expected given that the video went viral and brought the Aunty Anne’s brand into disrepute.
The Meta AI (artificial intelligence) on the Meanwhile in Malaysia Facebook forum which analysed the comments contended that most netizens were aghast at the staff’s inappropriate actions.
However, it also claims that some did say she was merely displaying passion and love for her vocation. One comment even pointed out that due to the publicity, this young lady may find it hard to secure alternative employment.
One netizen, though, dismissed Meta AI’s “findings”, pointing out that it did not understand sarcasm.
One commenter mocked the AI’s conclusions, asking if it was drunk on ketum (an intoxicating plant).
While another claimed that netizens will use AI’s conclusions to suit their own narratives.
The overall sentiment seems to be that AI has got it wrong.
The same issue was discussed on The Makan Club’s Facebook site with many also making it known that the young lass’s actions were totally unacceptable.
One said this is youngsters will do almost anything to gain online notoriety.
Few things to note.
Firstly, it would appear that Meta AI has read the comments wrong as Malaysians have been almost universal in their condemnation of the peck on the dough.
Secondly, it also does appear that netizens are over-reacting. While it is definitely wrong and unhygienic for the staff to kiss the pretzel dough, one must ask if it is any less sanitary than making roti canai with bare hands?
Very often, one will see hawkers and restaurateurs handle food without gloves. Famous chicken rice shop cutting poultry and placing it on plates with uncovered hands? Nasi kandar stall where the server will sprinkle garnishing with bare fingers?
Too often, Malaysians will close the proverbial one eye if the food is tasty enough or the outlet is “famous”.
Perhaps this incident will cause a shift in attitudes towards food hygiene and safety instead of it being just an opportunity to contribute to online noise. – Oct 10, 2024
