SINGAPORE — Two food establishments owned by Spize have had their food hygiene grades downgraded from A to C after 15 people developed gastroenteritis symptoms from eating food prepared at Spize at Simpang Bedok last July, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said on Saturday (March 11).

There were no hospitalisations, but a joint investigation by the Ministry of Health and SFA in the aftermath of the incident, which occurred from July 5 to 6 last year, revealed that there were several hygiene lapses at both the food stall, Spize Continental Kitchen, and the food shop, Spize.

"SFA will be taking enforcement actions against the licensees for these lapses," the agency said.

"SFA has adjusted food hygiene grades of the food stall at 338 Bedok Road (Spize Continental Kitchen) and food shop at 284 Bedok Road (Spize) from 'A' to 'C' with effect from March 10, 2023, to be reviewed in 12 months." 

SFA also said that Spize at Simpang Bedok would be kept under surveillance. 

"Food operators are reminded to adhere to good food hygiene and safety processes.

"Good hygiene practices such as the washing of hands before handling food can greatly reduce the incidence of gastroenteritis when adopted by all key stakeholders, including the industry and public," it added.

People who have gastroenteritis suffer from diarrhoea and vomiting, usually caused by a bacteria or virus.

NOT SPIZE'S FIRST FOOD HYGIENE LAPSE 

In 2018, 63 people fell ill after eating food catered by Spize for a company event, with 45 being hospitalised. An auxiliary police officer who consumed the food died eight days later from sepsis and multi-organ failure following acute gastroenteritis. 

During inspections of Spize's River Valley Road outlet kitchen, where the food was prepared, faecal coliforms were detected in samples of food as well as a chopping board and knife used for ready-to-eat food. 

Court documents showed that salmonella bacteria were also found on the door handle and rack of a cold room and kitchen surfaces. 

Investigations revealed that seven of the 34 food handlers were not registered with the National Environment Agency and had not attended the basic food hygiene course. 

Spize Restaurant lost its River Valley Road outlet license in December 2018, and Spize and related company Spize Events were fined S$32,000 in December 2020 over the incident. CNA