Singapore
SINGAPORE – ByteDance Singapore Food Poisoning Investigation Concludes
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has ended its investigation into a mass outbreak of foodborne illness at ByteDance’s Singapore office, confirming that catered food was the primary cause of the outbreak.
The July 30 incident affected 130 employees, with 57 individuals requiring hospitalization. The SFA described it as “one of the more serious food poisoning cases in recent years” and indicated potential enforcement actions against responsible parties.
Two catering companies were involved in the incident: Yun Hai Yao, which operates the Yun Nans restaurant chain, and Pu Tien Services, a central catering kitchen.
Health authorities immediately suspended the food business operations of both caterers. Pu Tien’s Senoko catering kitchen was reinstated on August 10, with Yun Hai Yao’s Northpoint City location following on August 16.
The catering companies were ordered to dispose of ready-to-eat, thawed, and perishable food items. Pu Tien successfully appealed to retain some in-house inventory after additional testing revealed no food safety concerns.
ByteDance staff became ill after visiting the office cafeteria. The company confirmed it uses licensed external vendors for catering, with food not prepared on-site.
Pu Tien Services conducted independent third-party laboratory testing of food samples from the day of the incident. In a statement, they said their analysis confirmed that the samples met SFA food safety regulations and found no presence of listeria or salmonella.
As part of the reinstatement process, both caterers had to complete comprehensive safety measures:
- Thorough cleaning and sanitization of premises
- Disinfection of equipment, utensils, and food preparation surfaces
- Food handlers re-attended and passed food safety courses
- Food hygiene officers completed additional certification
Potential penalties for food hygiene violations can reach up to S$2,000 (USD 1,500), with additional daily fines of S$100 (USD 75) for continuing offenses.
The SFA did not specify the exact enforcement actions to be taken or identify the specific responsible parties.
POTONG PASIR – Food Poisoning Outbreak Affects 24 Preschoolers
Twenty-four children at a Little Seeds preschool in Potong Pasir have been diagnosed with gastroenteritis, with seven requiring hospitalization.
According to joint statements from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Ministry of Health (MOH), and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), four hospitalized children have been discharged, while three remain in stable condition. The centre, operated by Anglican Preschool Services (APS), serves children aged 18 months to six years.
APS confirmed that three remaining hospitalized children were diagnosed with salmonella infection. In response, the pre-school has implemented several preventive measures, including:
- Suspending all communal and group activities
- Keeping children within their classrooms
- Increasing cleaning and disinfection protocols
- Temporarily closing the school’s kitchen and instead having meals catered
- Conducting visual and temperature health checks at entry
Salmonella, a bacteria commonly found in raw meats, dairy products, poultry, and eggs, can cause food-borne illnesses. Typical symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting, with infections typically lasting up to a week.
The outbreak has been contained to this single branch, with the pre-school’s 15 other locations remaining unaffected.
The pre-school reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining communication with parents, with staff visiting hospitalized children and providing ongoing updates about the investigation.
This incident follows a similar gastroenteritis outbreak in January of this year at Haven Infant & Toddler Centre Tanjong Pagar, where eight children experienced similar symptoms of food poisoning-related illness.
Hong Kong
HONG KONG – Probable Botulism Case Investigated
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is currently investigating a probable botulism case involving a 55-year-old male patient who received unauthorized botulinum toxin injections on the Mainland, health officials reported on November 28.
According to the Department of Health (DH), the patient received injections at a friend’s home on November 3, without being able to confirm the professional qualifications of the person administering the treatment. The patient, who previously had good health, began experiencing medical complications on November 17, including double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking, and problems with chewing and swallowing.
The patient was admitted to Hong Kong Adventist Hospital in nearby Tsuen Wan on November 19 and was clinically suspected of having botulism caused by the botulinum toxin injection. He was subsequently treated and discharged from the hospital.
Health authorities have repeatedly stressed the critical importance of receiving botulinum toxin injections only from registered medical professionals. The CHP has reported the case to relevant mainland authorities, and epidemiological investigations are ongoing.
Health officials warn that botulinum toxin injections can cause serious medical complications. The toxin can weaken associated muscles and potentially spread beyond the injection site, leading to a range of symptoms. These may include drooping eyelids, blurred vision, chewing difficulties, hoarseness, and in severe cases, complications with swallowing, speaking, or breathing.
The Department of Health provided comprehensive guidance for individuals considering botulinum toxin injections. Recommendations include verifying a doctor’s credentials through the Medical Council of Hong Kong, understanding potential risks and complications, and avoiding injections from unqualified or suspicious sources.
Specific health advice includes:
- Ensuring injections are performed only by locally registered doctors
- Understanding the procedure and potential risks before receiving treatment
- Avoiding injections from unverified sources
- Not receiving injections if allergic to botulinum toxin or if there’s an infection at the injection site
- Requesting written documentation of a doctor’s professional qualifications
- Seeking immediate medical attention if symptoms develop after an injection
Portugal
BEJA – Health Authorities Confirm Hepatitis A Outbreak in Beja
The Public Health Unit (USP) do Baixo Alentejo has reported an ongoing hepatitis A outbreak originating in Portugal’s Algarve region, with six confirmed cases in the city of Beja.
Health officials conducted a targeted vaccination campaign from October 22 to 25, administering vaccines to 153 children aged up to 18 years. The vaccination effort was designed to prevent and mitigate disease transmission within the affected community.
The first hepatitis A case in the region was recorded on September 18, with the most recent case showing symptoms more than a month ago. According to the USP, no additional cases with an epidemiological link to the outbreak have been reported since then, though they acknowledge the potential for future unlinked cases.
Health authorities said that virus transmission occurs through the fecal-oral route but noted that since hygienic conditions in local schools appear to be good that the virus is unlikely to be spread further in educational settings.
Public health officials continue to monitor the situation and assess potential risks in the community.
Philippines
DATU BLAH SINSUAT – Sea Turtle Stew Kills 3, 32 Hospitalized
Health authorities in the Philippines’ Maguindanao del Norte Province are investigating a fatal food poisoning incident involving an endangered sea turtle, which resulted in three deaths and at least 32 hospitalizations among indigenous Teduray people.
The victims became ill after consuming a sea turtle prepared as adobo, a traditional Filipino stew. The victims experienced severe food poisoning symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal spasms following the meal.
A local official reported that animals fed the same sea turtle also died. The incident highlights the potential dangers of consuming sea turtles, which can be toxic even when appearing healthy due to contaminated algae consumption.
Hunting and consuming sea turtles is illegal under Philippine environmental protection laws, however, the practice continues in some communities as a local delicacy.
Most of those hospitalized have since been discharged, with the three fatalities buried immediately according to local customs.
Local councillor Datu Mohamad Sinsuat Jr pledged to enforce stricter regulations preventing sea turtle hunting in the region.
The incident is reminiscent of a similar food poisoning event in Eastern Samar Province in 2013, where 68 people became ill and four died after consuming a sea turtle.
United States
LOS ANGELES – TV Actress Reveals Thanksgiving Cooking Mishap
“Grey’s Anatomy” actress Camilla Luddington shared a cautionary tale with People magazine about her disastrous attempt at cooking a Thanksgiving turkey that resulted in widespread food poisoning for her guests.
During a recent podcast, Luddington described her cooking experience, noting her British background meant she was unfamiliar with traditional American Thanksgiving preparations.
Typically, Luddington said, she purchases pre-cooked turkeys from grocery store chain Whole Foods to avoid cooking complications. However, one particular Thanksgiving, she decided to cook the turkey herself, with unexpected consequences.
The actress described a prolonged cooking process that stretched well into the evening. By 10 p.m., with guests growing impatient, she removed the turkey from the oven, believing it was sufficiently cooked.
“I thought, genuinely, there’s no way that people are gonna actually get sick,” Luddington recounted. Contrary to her expectations, her entire group of guests became ill that night.
Luddington criticized turkey packaging instructions, suggesting cooking times are significantly understated. She noted that a 20-pound turkey advertised as a three-hour cook took closer to 12 hours in her experience.
After the podcast host recommended using an internal meat thermometer to ensure proper cooking and prevent potential salmonella risks, Luddington enthusiastically agreed.
Since that experience, Luddington has reportedly returned to purchasing pre-cooked turkeys to avoid offering her guests another painful experience.
MINNEAPOLIS – Chi-Chi’s Mexican Restaurant Chain Prepares for Comeback After 20-Year Hiatus
Chi-Chi’s, the once-popular Mexican restaurant chain that closed in 2004 following a massive hepatitis A outbreak, is set to reopen in 2025 under new leadership, according to multiple news outlets.
Michael McDermott, son of the original founder, has secured an agreement with Hormel Foods to use the Chi-Chi’s trademark. The revival comes two decades after the restaurant chain shut down following a significant public health incident linked to a Pennsylvania location.
Founded in 1975 by restaurateur Marno McDermott and former Green Bay Packers player Max McGee, the chain rapidly expanded to over 200 locations nationwide. Its growth was abruptly halted by a hepatitis A outbreak traced to contaminated green onions, which infected 555 people and resulted in three fatalities.
The outbreak was considered the largest of its kind in U.S. history at the time. After the incident and subsequent ownership changes, Chi-Chi’s closed its restaurants in 2004.
McDermott, who has experience in the industry with restaurants like Kona Grill and Rojo Mexican Grill, aims to reimagine the restaurant concept by blending the classic Chi-Chi’s dining experience with modern culinary trends, hoping to honor his family’s legacy while appealing to contemporary consumers.
“I still have fond memories of growing up in the Chi-Chi’s restaurants that my father built,” McDermott said. “We believe there is an opportunity to bring the brand back in a way that resonates with today’s consumer.”
The restaurant’s return coincides with a growing global food service market, estimated at $3,099.66 billion and projected to expand at a 3% annual growth rate through 2030, according to Newsweek. Market research indicates increasing demand driven by urbanization, busy lifestyles, and technological advancements in food service.
Specific details about the number and locations of new Chi-Chi’s restaurants have not been announced. While the chain’s demise was controversial, the brand’s comeback represents a significant moment for fans of the original restaurant and those nostalgic for its Mexican-inspired cuisine.
Commenting on this article, one national food poisoning lawyer, from Ron Simon & Associates, said, “Maintaining food safety is not only a legal duty but also vital for public confidence in a brand. Failure to meet safety standards can result in lawsuits, penalties, and severe damage to reputation.”
