A “Dumpling Festival” event held in the basement of Orchard Gateway mall in Singapore has been canceled by authorities after it was discovered the organizers failed to obtain the necessary permits, reports local news platform Mothership. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is also investigating reports of food poisoning linked to the consumption of rice dumplings sold at the event.
The festival, originally scheduled to run from June 3rd to 9th, came under scrutiny when a Mothership reader reported falling ill after eating rice dumplings purchased from various vendors at the fair on June 3rd. The alleged victim stated that they bought the rice dumplings to serve to a group of international guests they were hosting.
According to the reader, both they and their guests began experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, frequent stomach cramps, and vomiting around 6:45 pm, approximately 3 hours after consuming the dumplings. The reader emphasized that they did not consume any other food apart from the rice dumplings and bottled mineral water, pointing to the festival as the likely source of the illnesses.
In response to the incident, the SFA confirmed that they did not receive any application for a temporary fair permit for the Dumpling Festival at Orchard Gateway. As a result, enforcement action was taken, and the event was forced to shut down completely.
The SFA has strict regulations in place for temporary fairs, requiring operators to obtain a permit from the agency at least two weeks before the fair’s commencement date. This process allows the SFA to ensure that fair operators comply with food safety standards.
Additionally, individual food and beverage stalls at temporary fairs must be licensed by the SFA, and all food handlers must have completed the mandatory Food Safety Course Level 1 training.
An Orchard Gateway mall spokesperson claimed no knowledge of any food poisoning cases arising from the Dumpling Festival. However, the SFA is taking the incident seriously and is conducting investigations into the reports received regarding the suspected food contamination.
This incident is a reminder of the importance of adhering to food safety protocols and regulations, particularly in the context of public events where a large number of attendees may be exposed to potential health risks.
Commenting on this story, one national food safety attorney said, “I applaud the SFA’s commitment to upholding stringent food safety standards. Event organizers and food vendors everywhere should prioritize proper licensing, training, and adherence to hygiene guidelines. Failure to do so can result in legal consequences and put the public’s health at risk.”
