The blood-stained ice came from a freezer being cleaned (left) and the result of the process.
PETALING JAYA: An eatery whose workers are alleged to have washed "frozen meat" next to a drain says it was blood-stained ice being discarded instead.
A representative of the eatery located in Shah Alam, who only wanted to be known as Khor, said they have since learnt that workers had cleaned a freezer used to store meat and there were "chunks of ice" accumulated at the bottom of the freezer.
"The restaurant schedules its employees to clean the freezer every Monday, during which meat, seafood, bones and other items are removed from the freezer.
"The bottom of the freezer, where blood from meat stored from upper shelves had dripped and frozen into 'blood-stained ice chunks', is thoroughly cleared and cleaned.
"From a distance, the blood-stained ice chunks resemble 'bright red pieces of meat'... which is why netizens took photos that went viral.
"The photos (that went viral) show thawed blood (-stained) water flowing into the drain, so it was not a case of 'washing frozen meat'," Khor told The Star on Tuesday (Oct 8).
ALSO READ: Workers seen washing 'frozen meat' near drain, eatery says it was meant for disposal
She apologised for the notice pasted on the restaurant's shutter, which incorrectly stated that it was "cleaning frozen meat to thaw for feeding dogs".
However, Khor admitted that there was some frozen chicken stored in the freezer that had expired and to be discarded, which was what the workers wanted to feed to stray dogs.
"The ingredients used by the restaurant are clean, hygienic and fresh. Any food items placed on the ground will not be brought into the kitchen for cooking.
"The restaurant realises these practices are incorrect and will not repeat them. This includes not allowing staff to feed dogs with chicken bones.
"Additionally, they will consult professionals on the proper method to dispose of blood-stained ice chunks and expired food items," she said.
Khor added the eatery would remain closed until further notice. She added that the workers involved were no longer in their employ.
