Eng's Wanton Noodles fined S$3,300 for selling food 'unfit for consumption' after 68 customers fell ill

SINGAPORE — The licensee of popular eatery Eng’s Wanton Noodles was fined S$3,300 on Wednesday (Oct 19) for selling food "unfit for consumption", after 68 customers fell ill after eating its food last year.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said that it had received feedback in May last year involving these customers who had shown suspected gastroenteritis symptoms after consuming food at the eatery at Tanjong Katong Road.

A joint investigation with the Ministry of Health found that the eatery's ready-to-eat food items, such as char siew (barbequed pork) and choi sim vegetables failed the microbiological limits stipulated under regulations.

SFA suspended Eng’s Wanton Noodle’s food business operations from May 18 to June 28 last year.

Lao Huo Tang Group holds the licence for Eng’s Wanton Noodles. 

Gastroenteritis, commonly associated with food poisoning or “stomach flu”, is the inflammation of the stomach or the intestines, with sufferers having symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting.

SFA said on Wednesday that beyond its own regulatory checks and enforcement, the industry and consumers should also play their part in food safety.

Food operators should ensure that their premises are clean and well-maintained, and staff are adequately trained on proper food safety management, it said.

Members of the public who come across poor hygiene practices in food establishments should not patronise them and should provide feedback via its online feedback form with details for our follow-up investigations, SFA added.

“SFA will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone found to be in violation of the Environmental Public Health Act,” the agency said.

Offenders are liable to a fine of up to S$2,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of up to S$100 for every day that the offence continues after conviction.