On the same day that two caterers were suspended after a mass food poisoning case at Bytedance, another caterer was fined for another mass food poisoning case.
This time, 37 people suffered from gastroenteritis across four eldercare centres.
Source: Google Maps
In a media release on Friday (2 Aug), the Singapore Food Authority (SFA) said the gastroenteritis incidents were reported on 18 May 2023.
37 individuals across four St Luke’s ElderCare Centres had fallen ill after consuming catered lunch meals.
One of them was hospitalised and later discharged.
Based on the report, SFA and the Ministry of Health (MOH) started a joint investigation.
The next day, checks were conducted at the premises of the caterer, +Robert Catering Services Pte. Ltd.
It was located in an industrial building with the address 5 Kaki Bukit Rd 2.
Source: Google Maps
Twelve food samples were collected from the premises.
Three of the ready-to-eat food items were found to have a higher-than-allowed amount of Bacillus Cereus, a food-borne bacteria. They were:
+Robert Catering Services was subsequently fined S$2,100 on Wednesday (31 July) for food safety offences.
SFA reminded food establishments to ensure their premises are clean and well-maintained, and adhere to proper food hygiene and food safety requirements, saying:
SFA will take enforcement action against food operators who do not adhere to food safety regulations.
In a separate case, SFA conducted an inspection on 15 Feb 2023 at an SFA-licensed premises.
A company named Sidecar Pte Ltd was licenced to operate a food processing establishment there.
However, SFA found pet food products in the walk-in freezer room.
Source: Singapore Food Agency
It also found pet food packaging materials, such as tubs, lids and glass jars, in the dry storage area and office.
Source: Singapore Food Agency
The company had thus contravened SFA’s licensing conditions with its unauthorised processing and packing of pet food at the premises.
It was subsequently fined S$3,800 on Friday (2 Aug) for carrying out unapproved trade activities there.
SFA reminded all operators of food processing and storage establishments that they must adhere to SFA’s licensing conditions and are responsible for ensuring the hygiene of food products manufactured there: saying,
Operators are required to have a good understanding of the specifications and proper application of the food processing equipment used at their premises, as well as the cleaning and sanitation regime to maintain the equipment to ensure the safe processing of food. They are also required to ensure that the food products adhere to the Sale of Food Act and Food Regulations.
Members of the public who come across poor food safety practices in food establishments are advised to refrain from patronising them and instead make a report with detail to SFA’s online feedback form.
The punishments came as two businesses, Yun Hai Yao Pte Ltd and Pu Tien Services Pte Ltd, were suspended by the SFA till further notice.
A total of 130 people suffered from food poisoning at the ByteDance office on Tuesday (30 July) after consuming food supplied by the two caterers.
The week before, 165 Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel at the Civil Defence Academy (CDA) in Jalan Bahar fell sick with gastroenteritis over two days.
Following that incident, the cookhouse was closed for investigations.
Also read: Pan Pacific Hotel restaurant suspended until further notice after 16 diners suffer gastroenteritis
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Featured image adapted from Google Maps.
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