169 gastroenteritis cases at ByteDance: SFA lifts Pu Tien's suspension, keeps it under close surveillance
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has lifted the suspension of Pu Tien Services at Senoko South Road, said SFA in a media release on Aug 10.
As the food supplier has implemented the required measures as stipulated by SFA, operations can be resumed.
On July 30, the Ministry of Health and SFA had received reports of gastroenteritis in the office of ByteDance at One Raffles Quay. Bytedance is the parent company of popular video platform TikTok.
Affected were 169 people who had consumed food supplied by two caterers, Yun Hai Yao in Northpoint City and Pu Tien Services. Seventeen people were hospitalised and all have since been discharged.
To protect consumers from further public health risks, the food business operations of both caterers were suspended by SFA since July 31.
During the suspension period, Pu Tien Services disposed all ready-to eat food, thawed food and perishable food items, and cleaned and sanitised their premises, including equipment and utensils, and disinfected food preparation surfaces, tables and floors.
Food handlers have re-attended and passed the Food Safety Course Level 1, and the Food Hygiene Officers have re-attended and passed the WSQ Conduct Food & Beverage Hygiene Audit course.
Putien Restaurant posted on its social media that it cooperated fully with the regulators throughout the investigations.
"As part of our food safety protocols, we had kept samples from all food delivered to ByteDance's office on July 30, 2024 and sent the food samples for independent third-party laboratory testing and analysis. The laboratory results confirmed that all the food samples met the food safety regulations established by SFA," said Putien.
"The results also confirmed that both listeria and salmonella, bacteria known to cause food poisoning, were not detected in any of the samples. These results reaffirm our commitment to upholding the highest standards of food safety and quality."
The company added that the suspension had been a challenging period for its more than 500 staff members in Singapore.
Following the lifting of suspension, SFA will continue to place Pu Tien Services under close surveillance to ensure that they adhere to food safety requirements.
SFA said it is considering the findings from the investigations into the outbreak of gastroenteritis and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if food operators are found to be in violation of the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations.
Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $100 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.
