A food company linked to an outbreak that sickened more than 100 people in Singapore in 2023 has been fined.
Nosh Cuisine Pte was fined SGD$1,200 (US$900) for a food safety offense committed under the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations.
In May 2023, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) received reports of gastroenteritis from eight MindChamps preschools involving 107 people. The illness was traced to food supplied by Nosh Cuisine. Eight people were hospitalized.
An on-site inspection by MOH and SFA officials revealed the company’s failure to keep its premises clean.
At the time of the incident, the company’s operations were suspended and the company was ordered to clean and disinfect the premises, including equipment and utensils, and to dispose of all ready-to-eat and perishable food products. The restrictions were lifted at the end of July 2023.
Current outbreak
The Ministry of Health and the Singapore Food Agency are also investigating three incidents of gastroenteritis involving 51 people after consuming food supplied by Stamford Catering Services Pte earlier this month. No one required hospital treatment.
SFA has suspended operations at the caterer, located on Senoko South Road, until further notice. The company must take action, including cleaning and disinfecting the premises, equipment and utensils.
All food handlers working on the premises must retake and pass the Level 1 Food Safety Course and test negative for foodborne pathogens before they can resume work. The Food Hygiene Officer must complete the Food Safety Level 3 course before returning to work in this role.
In a statement, the company said it had been contacted by authorities to temporarily suspend operations at its central kitchen.
“Rest assured: the safety of our customers is our top priority. We have always adhered to strict food safety protocols to ensure the quality of our catering services. We have taken immediate action and are working closely with local health authorities on this matter. We are doing everything we can to ensure our kitchen is safe to use and will provide updates when we have more information.”
Other enforcement matters
In other news, licensed food importer Jiajiafu Trading Pte was fined SGD$2,000 (US$1,500) by the court for processing and repackaging food products at an unlicensed premises.
In March 2024, officers from the Singapore Food Agency inspected the Jiajiafu Trading site and found food processing and repackaging in progress. The company is not licensed to conduct such activities. Approximately 280 kilograms of products were seized, including sliced chili and pre-packaged dried food products.
SFA said illegal food processing and repackaging activities in unlicensed facilities pose a food safety risk. All such businesses must be licensed and comply with SFA requirements and food safety standards. These installations are also routinely inspected by SFA.
In September 2024, the Singapore Food Agency seized about 300 kilograms of imported food from Thailand after raids on five retail outlets.
Officials discovered the sale of illegally imported processed and raw meat, as well as insect products, at four outlets. These include chicken, beef, pork and insects such as beetles and snails. Two of the establishments were also operating without a valid permit.
Finally, SK Retail Pte was fined SGD$4,800 (US$3,600) by the court this month for operating a cold store without a permit. The company’s director, Kwon Young Soo, was also fined the same amount for failing to prevent the crime.
In May 2023, officers from the Singapore Food Agency discovered that SK Retail had been storing meat and seafood at its premises, which are not licensed as a cold store. A total of 207 kilograms of products were seized.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)