The business licenses of two caterers have been suspended until further notice after nearly 40 people fell ill eating food that was prepared by them.
Taking place one after another, the two incidents happened on Aug 31 and Sept 2, after those affected consumed food prepared by Mum’s Kitchen Catering and Cherish Delights. The companies’ licenses were suspended on Tuesday and yesterday respectively to prevent more people from coming down with gastroenteritis, which could lead to vomiting or diarrhea.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) revealed this information in a joint statement yesterday, adding that three out of the 39 people who were affected had to be hospitalized. Two have since been discharged, while the remaining one is still in hospital but in stable condition.
MOH and SFA, who are currently investigating the incidents, did not reveal the types of dishes that were prepared by the two caterers. But they did reveal that the food was prepared at the caterers’ respective central kitchens, which are located close to each other in the Shimei East Kitchen building for food-related businesses in Bedok.
In the meantime, all food-handling staff will have to undergo retraining and pass the mandatory basic food hygiene course before they can resume work. The Food Hygiene Officer, who is usually a senior staff appointed by the caterer to ensure high standards of food hygiene, will have to retake the SFA Food Hygiene Officer course.
Before resuming operations, the caterers will also need to ensure their kitchens, including equipment and utensils, are clean and sanitized.
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