Even the atas domain of Mandarin Orchard couldn’t escape Singapore’s recent spate of food poisoning. Last Sunday, 42 guests of a wedding banquet hosted at the upscale hotel fell ill from food poisoning, with four requiring hospitalization.
One can only imagine the pain of having memories of a joyous occasion tarnished by the dire incident.
The relevant authorities — Ministry of Health, National Environment Agency, and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority — are already on the case. Similar to the incident that left one dead and dozens more hospitalized from Spize bento boxes, gastroenteritis was traced back to the food eaten by the affected, which was prepared at Mandarin Orchard on Sunday. A joint inspection was conducted at the caterer’s premises yesterday.
Distraught
Mandarin Orchard Singapore has pledged to cooperate fully with the authorities during their investigations, and are reaching out to the guests affected to offer support and assistance.
“We sincerely apologize to those who have yet to hear from us, and would be most grateful if we could be provided the necessary details so we can immediately make contact,” the hotel wrote on its Facebook page.
While waiting for the outcome of the investigations, the prominent hotel along Orchard Road hotel will stop serving raw food prepared from its banquet kitchens and temporarily relieved the employees that handled the food during the banquet.
“Nothing could be more important to us at Mandarin Orchard Singapore than the safety and well-being of our customers and employees.”
Fourth case within a month
One case of mass food poisoning is bad enough, but when four incidents take place in less than a month? That’s a little uncanny.
Back on Nov 14, a man died after eating food prepared by the River Valley outlet of popular food chain Spize. 80 others were affected after eating the catered food at a company Deepavali celebration.
Gastroenteritis struck again. On Nov 24, restaurant group TungLok had its catering license at the Singapore Expo suspended after a total of 190 people fell sick from eating its food, which was prepared for a Singapore Civil Defence Force event.
Just last Monday, 131 people — including children — fell ill after eating food prepared for a learning camp by FoodTalks Caterer and Manufacturer.
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