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2 caterers suspended over ByteDance food poisoning incident, affecting 130 people
Two caterers were suspended in connection with a food poisoning incident at ByteDance’s office at One Raffles Quay, affecting 130 individuals. According to a joint statement from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH), they are investigating the gastroenteritis outbreak linked to food provided by the two caterers.
SINGAPORE: Two caterers were suspended in connection with a food poisoning incident at ByteDance’s office that affected 130 people, according to a joint statement from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) issued on Wednesday (31 July) evening.
The authorities confirmed that the businesses involved are Yun Hai Yao Pte Ltd and Pu Tien Services Pte Ltd. The suspension began on 31 July and will remain in effect until further notice.
The incident, which occurred at the ByteDance office, resulted in 130 individuals suffering from gastroenteritis after consuming food provided by Yun Hai Yao and Pu Tien Services.
Of those affected, 17 were hospitalized and are now in stable condition, while the remaining individuals sought outpatient treatment, self-medicated, or recovered without any treatment.
Earlier reports indicated that over 60 staff members were hospitalized, and seventeen ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
The suspension of the two caterers was implemented due to the seriousness of the incident.
“Food safety is a joint responsibility. SFA would like to remind food operators to observe good food and personal hygiene practices at all times. ”
“SFA will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone found to be in violation of the Environmental Public Health Act,” the statement added.
Yun Hai Yao operates the Yun Nans restaurant chain. The suspension specifically affects the outlet at Northpoint City Mall in Yishun.
Pu Tien Services, the central catering kitchen for the Putien restaurant chain, is based at the Super Industrial Building at 2 Senoko South Road. According to the firm’s website, the chain has 19 restaurants across Singapore.
During the suspension, both caterers are required to clean and sanitize their premises, including all equipment and utensils. Ready-to-eat and perishable food items must be disposed of.
Before resuming operations, all food handlers must retake and pass the Food Safety Course Level 1 and test negative for foodborne pathogens.
Additionally, the Food Hygiene Officer must retake and pass the Food Safety Course Level 3 to resume their role.
The Yun Nans outlet at Northpoint City was closed on Wednesday afternoon, around noon, according to Chinese media Shin Min Daily News. SFA officers were observed questioning employees, collecting evidence, and taking away ingredients.
Yun Nans’ CEO Tommy Lu informed Shin Min that the food delivered to ByteDance was prepared at their Northpoint City branch, which had been supplying ByteDance for about a month without prior issues.
Mr Lu noted that employees who consumed the same food did not experience any discomfort and mentioned that the affected individuals did not only consume food from Yun Nans. He added that other Yun Nans outlets would continue operations as usual.
Earlier, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received multiple calls for medical assistance at One Raffles Quay around 3:15 pm on Tuesday.
A ByteDance spokesperson told The Straits Times that the company is committed to the health and safety of its employees and has taken immediate steps to support those affected, including coordinating with emergency services.
According to CNA, ByteDance informed employees that the illness occurred after visiting a canteen on the 26th floor of the office. The buffet section of the canteen has been closed pending investigation.
ByteDance emphasized, “We are taking this incident very seriously and are working closely with local authorities and caterers to identify the cause as soon as possible.”
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Suspend ,revoke licence, fine whatever…
No problem.
Ah Tiong business can change to many ‘colors’ and version one.
In no time, another name,another business entity would come up and do the same shitty food business again.
Why can like that?
You country PRO-business mah!
Welcome….welcome ….all ah Tiong to come in.
So PRO….even ah Tiong find your country is so PRO to wash money for them too!😆😆😆😆
The ruling government bit into the “forbidden apple” of greed and now our food paradise is quickly turning into a food hell. I have heard of so many anecdotes of food poisoning recently too. Non-perishable goods can take shelter at cheaper warehouse spaces and be sold on-line (Decathlon took the smart option of housing their warehouse in much more affordable Johor, right next to the 2nd causeway). But the same is not true for F&B. Look at our malls, F&B galore. With the property bubble reaching new heights, rentals must be sky-high too. So how do F&B businesses deal with… Read more »
Weather is becoming bad that can cause our foods to turn bad more quickly. This is due to climate change. At one time, it is warm and sunny. Then suddenly dark clouds over the top and begin to rain heavily, becomes cold and wet. Then very quickly, the hot sun comes out to greet everyone again. Hot cold hot cold dry wet dry wet, this is when bacteria and viruses love it as a good breeding ground.
A terrible place to have your hot delicious meal is in the air-con environment.
Operating under different business entities…
All businesses create separate entities to insulate against events that might shut them down.
But… the employees, the managers, even the directors shift around.
Their hands are into every corner.
Regulations are applied only when an event occurs…and only to the first layer, the business entity
that operates. The head quarters is insulated, even if the revenue is transferred to the head quarters via various methods.
How can the penalties, like suspension be enough to get the behaviour that is desired..?
PAP is very, very business friendly..
There are confirmed observations most of F&B staff in most if NOT ALL F&B restaurants, fast food, casual dining or fine dining, are infested with Foreign workers, managers, sups, mid levels low levels and casual part timers.
The ratio foreigner to local guides are JUST PURELY a form of SG Political Tokenism.
Look at it, are the current penalties REALLY a DETERRENT?
These two china brands are popular with food deliveries
Some time years ago, in investing, I read opinion and commentary pieces in Western Media, Who Analyse the Analysts.
Obviously it’s valid and important to ask, Who Police and Investigate Food Safety investigators.
It’s NOT stupid to NOTICE of late, there are probably 3 or 4 Fold INCREASES, which is 300 per cent or 400 Per Cent Food Violations offences occurred in last few months in SG.
Naturally, it always EASY to say, and act, “I recuse”, right? Verbally one can RECUSE 101 times, great act, in Singapore, esp SG Parliament investigate AND APPROVES.
Aiya, Bo Bian one lah.
What’s shat already shatted.
Let what’s shat be shat.
Let bygones be bygones.