The National Environment Agency (NEA) investigated into the cause of the smell after the public called NEA to complain of the nuisance on Monday.

Our investigations showed that the pungent sweet-smelling stench and the cocoa smell which Mr Eng perceived that day originated from a factory manufacturing food flavours. The food-flavour smell may be unpleasant but it is safe and not harmful to health. The smell was caused by a malfunction in the odour-control equipment. We have instructed the factory to rectify the problem.

We would like to assure Mr Eng that our air-quality monitoring shows that the air quality in all parts of Singapore, including the west, is within international standards.

Tan Quee Hong
Acting Director
Pollution Control Department
National Environment Agency