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No link between Spize food poisoning case and other recent incidents: Authorities

SINGAPORE — There is no link between the food poisoning incident at popular eatery Spize Restaurant at River Valley and three other incidents at Mandarin Orchard Hotel, FoodTalks Caterer and Manufacturer, and Tung Lok Millennium, said the authorities as they wrapped up investigations on Friday (Dec 14).

The Ministry of Health, National Environment Agency and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore said in a press release that there is no link between the food poisoning incident at popular eatery Spize Restaurant at River Valley and three other incidents.

The Ministry of Health, National Environment Agency and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore said in a press release that there is no link between the food poisoning incident at popular eatery Spize Restaurant at River Valley and three other incidents.

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SINGAPORE — There is no link between the food poisoning incident at popular eatery Spize Restaurant at River Valley and three other incidents at Mandarin Orchard Hotel, FoodTalks Caterer and Manufacturer, and Tung Lok Millennium, said the authorities as they wrapped up investigations on Friday (Dec 14).

The Ministry of Health (MOH), National Environment Agency (NEA) and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said in a press release that this conclusion was based on epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings.

In total, the three latest incidents left more than 600 people ill.

MANDARIN ORCHARD HOTEL

The most recent case of food poisoning occurred between Dec 1 and 3, as guests who attended five separate events at the Mandarin Orchard Hotel’s Grand Ballroom fell ill.

In total, 315 cases of food poisoning were reported as of Thursday, nearly double the previous reported figure of 175. Fourteen people were hospitalised, with all but one discharged.

The banquet kitchen serving the Grand Ballroom has been suspended indefinitely since Dec 5.

Investigations suggested that the norovirus — a common virus that causes food poisoning — was behind this incident, said the authorities.

Norovirus was detected in the stool samples collected from five reported cases, three food handlers and 28 service staff. The authorities said that there were banquet servers who reported that they continued working while they were ill.

Norovirus was also detected on the carpet, tables, chairs, cutlery and drinking glasses from the Grand Ballroom.

Faecal bacteria were also detected from food samples, the authorities added.

FOODTALKS CATERER AND MANUFACTURER

On Nov 26, 131 people — including kindergarten children and teachers — at a preschool day camp came down with food poisoning after consuming food prepared by FoodTalks Caterer and Manufacturer.

A day later, a joint inspection by the NEA, MOH and AVA revealed hygiene lapses and poor kitchen habits.

The authorities found evidence of cockroach infestation, use of the same preparation table for raw and ready-to-eat food, and preparation of ready-to-eat food items a day or two before consumption.

“While the exact causative agent could not be identified, the short incubation period from consumption of the food to development of symptoms, and the predominant symptom of vomiting, suggest that the outbreak was likely due to ingestion of toxins produced by bacteria in the food,” said the authorities.

TUNG LOK MILLENNIUM

On Nov 23, 190 people took ill after consuming food prepared by Tung Lok Millennium for the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s public exhibition at the Singapore Expo. No one was hospitalised.

The authorities said its joint inspection on the same day revealed several hygiene lapses and poor kitchen habits.

These include the lack of soap for handwashing and improper use of the ice dispensing utensil for ready-to-eat ice.

The table used to pack these bento sets tested positive for Bacillus cereus, the authorities added. Bacillus cereus is a type of bacterium that produces toxins that can cause diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.

Tung Lok Millennium has since been suspended indefinitely.

FURTHER INSPECTIONS, ACTION TAKEN

The NEA said that the suspension of Mandarin Orchard Hotel’s banquet kitchen, the closure of its Grand Ballroom, as well as the suspension of Tung Lok Millennium will continue to be in place until it is satisfied that “the public health risks have been addressed”.

It will also take enforcement action against the three parties for the lapses.

The authorities will closely monitor the three entities and conduct further inspections to ensure they maintain good hygiene standards, and that their kitchen staff practise proper personal hygiene and food handling.

The latest findings came a week after the authorities said that they will take legal action against what they called "egregious" lapses found at Spize’s River Valley branch.

Spize’s River Valley outlet was shut down following investigations which revealed an “unusually severe” outbreak of gastroenteritis from “heavily contaminated” food.

The incident left 47 people hospitalised and one person dead. In total, 82 cases of food poisoning were reported by people who had consumed food from the restaurant on seven occasions between Nov 6 and 9.

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