Goodwood Park durian pastries linked to more food poisoning cases

SINGAPORE — The number of food poisoning cases linked to the consumption of durian pastries prepared at a well-known Goodwood Park Hotel bakery has shot up, with more possible victims coming forward since news broke of its suspension about two weeks ago.  

As of Tuesday (May 3), there was a total of 183 cases, more than double the 76 initially reported, said a joint statement from the Ministry of Health (MOH), the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore on Thursday. 

Investigations into the incident are in progress, and the suspension of the bakery, which is famed for its durian pastries, will continue to be in force until the lapses that might have contributed to the outbreak have been rectified.

Initially, 76 cases of food poisoning were investigated and linked to the bakery. However, after news broke on April 22 that the bakery was found to have lapses in its food handling processes, more people stepped forward to say that they, too, might have been victims, the statement said.

The NEA, on April 22, had ordered the bakery to stop the production, sale and distribution of all pastries that it had prepared. It was also told to stop operating on the very same day.

Goodwood Park Hotel was required to clean and sanitise the bakery, including all equipment, utensils, work surfaces and toilets. It also needed to review and rectify the lapses in food preparation processes that had been identified during the joint inspections by the three agencies.

All food handlers at the bakery were required to re-attend and pass the Basic Food Hygiene Course before they could resume work at the bakery when it reopens. 

The AVA said it had conducted checks on the suppliers of food ingredients, including the durian pulp supplied to the hotel, and found no safety lapses. 

In response to TODAY’s queries, the hotel said 11 employees — nine full-time staff and two trainees — were affected by the bakery’s suspension, but they will continue to be paid throughout its closure.

All affected staff had re-attended and passed the Basic Food Hygiene Course late last month, the hotel added. 

The NEA and MOH are concurrently working with the hotel to ensure that the bakery’s kitchen is thoroughly cleaned, and that all food handlers undergo medical screening and are trained again on safe food handling practices.

Goodwood Park Hotel said on Thursday that it would like to assure guests once again that “we treat this matter very seriously and we are still working closely with the authorities”. 

“The hotel’s team has been in contact with affected guests, personally addressing their respective cases with them,” the hotel said in a statement.