Kaohsiung: A KFC branch in Kaohsiung could be fined up to NT$200 million (US$6 million) after a customer found a AAA battery in an egg tart, city officials said Wednesday. In a social media post Tuesday, the customer shared photos and a video of the battery embedded in the egg tart, saying it had been purchased at KFC's Nanzih store and was about to be microwaved after going cold.

According to Focus Taiwan, the customer mentioned that their family suggested microwaving the egg tart for a better taste, but they chose to eat it cold, inadvertently preventing potential harm to the family. On Wednesday, the Kaohsiung City Department of Health dispatched personnel to the store for an inspection. The operator confirmed that a battery fell into the product after a timer used by an employee was dropped.

The department noted that the operator admitted there were "flaws" in the preparation process, acknowledging the employee's failure to follow standard procedures by not discarding the affected batch. The presence of a AAA battery in an egg tart violates the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation, prompting the department to announce a fine ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$200 million and a referral of the case to prosecutors.

The department also emphasized the need for restaurants to enhance staff training and improve food safety oversight. Consumers with purchase disputes can contact the city's Consumer Service Center or call 1950 for assistance. The department encouraged reporting suspected food safety violations directly to health authorities.