Irvins Salted Egg Faces a Lizard Surprise in Bangkok
Singapore‑based snack giant Irvins Salted Egg has just issued refunds after a Bangkok customer uncovered a dead lizard inside a half‑eaten packet of their famously popular fish‑skin snack.
What Happened?
- Jane Holloway – 38, living in Bangkok – posted on Facebook on Dec 28 that her family had devoured half a bag of Irvins Salted Egg Fish Skin before finding the lizard.
- She described the discovery as “so disgusting” and imagined the reptile was deep‑fried with the salmon skin.
- Jane bought the packet from Villa Market at K Village in November; her mother, also a Bangkok resident, opened it last week for a snack with her Siem Reap‑based brother, who was visiting over Christmas and New Year.
- The brother mistook the lizard for a baby fish head before spotting it.
Jarring Details
Despite no one falling ill, Jane’s family are clearly traumatised. “Mom feels like throwing up whenever she thinks about it,” she said. The incident stirred a wave of disbelief, especially since the snack costs a hefty 700 baht (≈ S$29) per packet.
Company’s Swift Response
Founder Irvin Gunawan issued an apology, calling the incident “shocked and devastated.” He promised:
- Full responsibility for the product contents.
- Personal contact with Jane to discuss the issue.
- Cooperation with the Agri‑Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).
- Improvements to production processes – no lizard in the future!
In an email, Mr. Gunawan offered refunds for the snack and any potential medical bills, and announced the move to a new facility at JTC Food Hub @ Senoko with strict hygiene checks. No details were revealed about the former location.
What You Can Do
Customers with Irvins Salted Egg products expiring on Oct 16 this year are advised to email [email protected] to return the item for a refund. Anyone uncomfortable with the snack should follow the same procedure, and all recalled products will be disposed of.
Final Note
This unsettling saga serves as a stark reminder: even beloved snacks can carry unexpected surprises. Irvins is working hard to regain trust, promising tighter controls for the future.
