By now, everyone in Singapore would be aware of the series of unfortunate mass food poisoning cases, beginning from the “first” case in Spize which started from 6 November 2018.
Investigations have found that the food poisoning was due to a hygiene lapse: a very serious one that has made the authorities fuming. The outlet’s operating licence has been terminated, and the authorities are looking to charge the owners.
On 23 November 2018, another mass food poisoning incident occurred, this time catered by a well-known brand, TungLok Catering. Over in Singapore Expo, 190 people reported ill after eating food by the caterer, and the TungLok Catering in Expo has temporarily ceased operation. In this case, no one was hospitalized, and the caterer is working with NEA, MOH and AVA in their investigations.
Then, three days later, 131 kids and teachers who were attending a learning camp fell ill after consuming catered food prepared by FoodTalks Caterer & Manufacturer, located at Shimei East Kitchen in Bedok.
The latest mass food poisoning case was from Mandarin Orchard Singapore, which involved four separate events in three days.
The authorities have completed the investigations for all the cases, and it’s confirmed that none of them are related—though the causes are all similar: hygiene lapses.
And in the case of Mandarin Orchard Singapore, it’s yet another revelation that would trigger not just the authorities, but all Singaporeans as well.
Mandarin Orchard Singapore Food Poisoning
Lest you’ve forgotten, the four separate events in Mandarin Orchard Singapore led to 315 people falling ill, with 14 of them hospitalized. Thankfully, everyone is in stable condition, though one of them is still warded. The Grand Ballroom was then closed until further notice as the authorities conduct their investigations.
The authorities have been in the premises to do inspections four times, on 4 Dec, 5 Dec, 6 Dec and 10 Dec.
It turned out that it’s an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis (i.e. food poisoning) and that it could well be prevented.
Joint Statement by the Authorities
First off, a joint statement by the Ministry of Health, the National Environment Agency and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA):
“There is strong evidence of severe contamination of the Grand Ballroom with norovirus from poor environmental and personal hygiene practices.
“Norovirus was detected from the stool samples collected from five cases, three food handlers and 28 service staff, including banquet servers who reported to have continued working while they were ill.”
You’ve read it right: servers who were ill were working there, and they apparently already were having norovirus, one of the primary culprits that cause food poisoning.
Now, hear this: the symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting.
I won’t want to sensationalize anything, but faecal coliforms (i.e. bacteria that originated from feaces) were found in food samples and surfaces of utensils and door handles, and reports also stated that there were “improper cleaning of vomitus in the Grand Ballroom”.
Lest your England is as bad as mine, vomitus means the stuff that’s been vomited out. I would have wanted to show you an image of it but since you could be eating now, I’ll do you a favour and just say this: it’s disgusting AF.
Other than that, norovirus was found in many surfaces like the tables, chairs, carpets, table clothes, cutlery and even glasses. In other words, they’re everywhere.
Given the report, it’s no surprise that the Grand Ballroom remain closed.
The authorities said, “The suspension of the banquet kitchen and closure of the Grand Ballroom will continue to be in place until NEA is satisfied that the public health risks including the satisfactory disinfection of the premises, have been addressed.”
However, in this case, their licence isn’t terminated and the outcome is still pending.
If you’re wondering why the operating licence of Spize was terminated while this isn’t, you might want to check out this article.
In the meantime, let’s hope that this would send a strong deterrence message to all F&B establishments that Ah Gong is always watching. Don’t pray pray with our food.
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