Caterer fined $8,000 after 395 people fell ill, dirty kitchen appliances and cockroaches found
Shiok Kitchen Catering was fined $8,000 by the court on April 9 for food safety lapses such as dirty kitchen appliances and cockroaches.
This followed reports of gastroenteritis involving 395 individuals who consumed food catered by the company in November and December 2023. None were hospitalised.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA) conducted joint inspections at Shiok Kitchen Catering's premises at 1 Senoko Avenue and found food safety lapses,
They include a dirty chiller, a dirty ice making machine, a dirty kitchen scale and cockroaches in an unused chiller. In addition, a food sample of ready-to-eat spinach, collected from the premises for laboratory testing, was found to be unfit for human consumption.
SFA has directed Shiok Kitchen Catering to suspend their operations from Dec 14, 2023, to Jan 5, 2024, to rectify the lapses and take necessary measures to improve the food safety practices and cleanliness of its premises.
The agency said food establishments should ensure their premises are clean and well-maintained, as well as adhere to proper food hygiene and food safety requirements.
Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 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.
