SINGAPORE — Tung Lok Millennium, a subsidiary of Tung Lok Restaurants, was fined S$3,000 by a court on Wednesday (March 20) for preparing contaminated food.

E coli, a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning symptoms, was found in a sample of ready-to-eat salad that was being prepared at Tung Lok's Tai Seng premises.

A representative for the company pleaded guilty to preparing unsafe food. A second charge of failing to ensure its establishment was properly maintained and clean was taken into consideration. 

This charge was for failing to maintain an overhead air-conditioning unit in its cold kitchen at 26 Tai Seng Street.

The court heard that the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) conducted an inspection at the licensed premises after receiving a complaint about gastroenteritis from an event at Chijmes, which houses several restaurants in Bras Basah district.

Tung Lok had catered food for the event on June 11, 2022.

The inspectors observed staff members at the Tai Seng kitchen preparing ready-to-eat washed salad and sent a sample of it for analysis.

The sample was found to be contaminated with E coli, which rendered the salad unsafe for consumption, the prosecutor said.

Most bacteria strains of E coli do not cause illnesses, but a high level can cause diarrhoea and vomiting, which are symptoms of gastroenteritis or food poisoning.

The prosecutor sought a fine of S$3,000, noting that the maximum fine was S$5,000 and that the company had a "poor compliance history".

Although the company has no similar previous convictions in court, it has previously been ordered to pay composition fines.

In mitigation, the company representative said that the ready-to-eat salad was obtained from a supplier.

"The supplier has the duty or responsibility to ensure this food is safe and suitable for consumption as well," the representative said through a Chinese interpreter.

"Nonetheless, the company is admitting to the offence. We know that we also have a duty."

On questioning by the judge, the SFA prosecutor clarified that the charge was not directly linked to the gastroenteritis incident at Chijmes.

However, the inspection was done because of the complaint, and a similar salad was served at the Chijmes event, the prosecutor said.

The salad at the event cannot be linked to the contaminated salad.

For preparing unsafe food, Tung Lok could have been fined up to S$5,000. For re-offenders, they may face a further fine of up to S$100 for each day the re-offence takes place after a conviction. CNA