Singapore actress Ann Kok reveals allergy to MSG, could have died eating bak kut teh
The actress shares the terrifying experience that could have cost her life
Local actress Ann Kok found out about a serious food allergy while eating a local favourite – bak kut teh.
On the latest episode of Mediacorp’s Just Swipe Lah, published on YouTube on 6 November, the 50-year-old celebrity revealed that she has a serious allergy to monosodium glutamate (MSG), a common food additive. As a result, her face can abruptly turn pale and her body becomes numb.
A brush with death
She recounted a harrowing incident where she ate bak kut teh and her “whole body went numb”. Her quick-thinking friend immediately rushed her home, where she went “completely unconscious”.
“I don’t know if I fainted or fell asleep or what,” she told host Jernelle Oh.
Her friend then consulted their friend, who is a doctor, and the latter said that for Kok’s situation, she could have died if she wasn’t sent to the hospital.
Speaking separately to 8days, Kok revealed the mishap happened in 2006, triggered by her indulgence in three bowls of the soup because it was “very yummy”.
“After around 30 minutes, I turned pale and broke out in cold sweat. My entire body went numb, and I curled up like a prawn. I could not walk, so I told my friend to send me home,” she described her ordeal.
Kok didn’t go to the hospital because she felt that her family could take care of her but they were asleep when she got home.
Ongoing battle with food allergies
Subsequently, she went for a food allergy test which revealed sensitivities to other foods such as egg whites, baked beans, and dairy.
After the traumatic incident, Kok admitted that she is “very scared” to eat bak kut teh and is very careful when dining out, especially with Chinese cuisine as it uses MSG. She does inform the restaurant of her allergy and requests that they refrain from using it.
There have been mild reactions to MSG but none recently.
“If I turn pale or feel my cheeks going numb after having a few sips of soup, I will quickly down a lot of water or fizzy drinks to flush out the MSG,” she told 8days.
Do you have a story tip? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. Also check out our Southeast Asia, Food, and Gaming channels on YouTube.
