Authorities Investigate Mass Food Poisoning at Singapore ByteDance Office
Singapore’s health and food safety authorities have launched an investigation into a severe case of gastroenteritis that affected 130 individuals at ByteDance’s office. The outbreak in Singapore, reported yesterday by Food Poisoning News, has been linked to food catered by two companies, Yun Hai Yao and Pu Tien Services. The incident has resulted in 17 hospitalizations, with the remaining affected individuals seeking outpatient treatment or recovering without medical intervention.
In response, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has suspended the food business operations of both suppliers effective July 31, 2024 until further notice. The affected companies are required to undertake thorough cleaning and sanitization of their premises, equipment, and utensils, as well as destroy all ready-to-eat and perishable food items.
To ensure food safety standards are met, the SFA has mandated that all of the businesses’ food handlers retake and pass Signapore’s Food Safety Course Level 1. Additionally, they must test negative for foodborne pathogens before resuming their duties. The designated Food Hygiene Officer is required to re-attend and pass the country’s Food Safety Course Level 3 before returning to work.
In a joint statement with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the SFA emphasized the importance of maintaining good food and personal hygiene practices, warning of firm action against violations of the Environmental Public Health Act. The authorities have also called upon the public to report any observed poor hygiene practices in food establishments through the SFA’s online feedback form.
Singapore Caterer Fined for Food Poisoning Incident at Senior Facilities
In a separate incident from the ByteDance food poisoning case, another Singapore caterer has been fined for causing a mass food poisoning outbreak. +Robert Catering Services Pte. Ltd. was penalized S$2,100 (approximately USD $1,584) for food safety violations after 37 individuals across four St Luke’s ElderCare Centres fell ill from consuming their catered lunch meals on May 18, 2023. One person was hospitalized but later discharged.
The SFA and MOH conducted a joint investigation, starting with a visit to the caterer’s offices. Twelve food samples were collected, with three items found to contain excessive levels of Bacillus Cereus, a harmful food-borne bacteria. The contaminated items included stir-fried cabbage dishes and braised tofu.
Commenting on this story, one national food poisoning lawyer said, “Signaporean health authorities have stressed the importance of cleanliness, proper maintenance, and proper food hygiene protocols. Food suppliers in the country must adhere to these standards or, as evidenced by these recent reports, will face both legal and financial consequences.”
