SFA fines 2 Spize outlets $3,600 each after 15 people suffered food poisoning

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced on Wednesday (Nov 15) that two Spize companies were fined $3,600 each due to food safety lapses discovered last year. Spize Bedok Pte. Ltd. and Spize Concepts Pte. Ltd were given fines under the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations.

SFA said it had received reports of 15 people falling ill with gastroenteritis in July 2022. They contracted food poisoning after consuming food prepared by Spize’s food establishments. After this incident, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and SFA conducted a joint investigation. They discovered multiple food safety lapses at the western food stall located at 336/338 Bedok Road, licensed under Spize Bedok Pte Ltd, including improperly segregating raw and cooked food at the serving station and using a stained chopping board for cooked food.

Read also: Sats officer dead and 72 others ill with food poisoning after eating at Spize Restaurant

Meanwhile, at the foodshop located at 284 Bedok Road, which is licensed under Spize Concepts Pte Ltd, the joint investigation uncovered other food safety lapses. These include the failure to provide hand soap in the kitchen toilet and the unauthorised use of the premises for food processing.

SFA has since directed Bedok Pte. Ltd. and Spize Concepts Pte. Ltd to correct these lapses in the interest of public health. The agency also told the companies to take needed measures to improve food safety practices and the cleanliness of their premises. SFA also downgraded the western food stall at 336/338 Bedok Road and the food shop at 284 Bedok Road from “A” to “C.”

“Food safety is a joint responsibility as food can be contaminated anywhere along the food chain. While SFA continues to be vigilant and works to ensure that regulatory measures are in place and properly enforced, the industry and consumers must also play their part.

All food operators should ensure that their premises are clean and well-maintained, and staff are adequately trained on proper food safety management. SFA will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone found to be in violation of the Environmental Public Health Act,” SFA said.

Food vendors who fail to comply are liable on conviction and may be given a fine of as much as S$2000. Further fines of as much as S$100 for every day or part thereof may also be meted out if the offence continues.

SFA added that people who encounter poor hygiene practices in food establishments should not eat there. They may also provide feedback to the agency through its online feedback form (www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback) with details for our follow-up investigations.

Read also: Delay in eating food from Spize may have contributed to man’s death : MOH report /TISG