SFA fines catering company $6,000 after 92 fall ill from food poisoning

SINGAPORE: KG Catering was fined $6,000 on Wednesday (Nov 1) by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) due to several hygiene lapses that caused 92 cases of food poisoning between Sept 11, 2022, and March 11, 2023. The breaches in hygiene include food waste found within the catering company’s premises, improper storage of food, and the presence of live cockroaches and other rodents.

92 people who suffered food poisoning experienced symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea—after consuming food prepared by G Catering in three separate incidents, the SFA said in a media release. SFA suspended the catering company’s operations from Nov 9, 2022, to Feb 1, 2023, and KG Catering was told to correct the hygiene lapses in improving the cleanliness of its premises and food safety practices.

These breaches were discovered when officers from the SFA and the Ministry of Health (MOH) carried out inspections on three occasions of the catering company’s premises. After the hygiene lapses were rectified, the SFA lifted the suspension.

The SFA said, ”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.”

The agency added that food and beverage establishments need to make sure that their premises are clean and well maintained and to follow food hygiene and food safety requirements. Otherwise, they are in danger of not following the Environmental Public Health Act and could be fined as much as S$2,000. If they continue to commit offences, they may be fined as much as S$100 for every day or part thereof.

Read also: Supplier of popular Ho Kee Pau fined $8,500 after SFA detected widespread cockroach infestations and rodent droppings

SFA advises the public to avoid patronizing food and beverage establishments where they see poor food safety practices. They should provide feedback on such establishments through the SFA’s online feedback form (https://www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback) or call the SFA Contact Centre at 68052871 with details for our follow-up investigations.

Read also: After live parasitic worm found in raw fish by customer at Don Don Donki, SFA warns people ‘be aware of risks involved’ /TISG