SFA downgrades Stamford Catering's hygiene grade after 52 get food poisoning
SINGAPORE — Another food caterer has had its food hygiene grade downgraded after being traced to as the likely cause of a food poisoning outbreak in March this year.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a media statement on Tuesday (9 July) that 52 people reported having symptoms of gastroenteritis – inflammation of the stomach and intestines which causes vomiting and diarrhoea – after eating food provided by Stamford Catering on 2 March.
One person was hospitalised and has since been discharged, and all have recovered.
A joint inspection by the Ministry of Health and the SFA was conducted at the Stamford Catering premises at Senoko South Road on 5 March. They detected a high bacterial load in food and environmental samples, which could be contributing factors for the outbreak.
The high bacterial load indicates poor personal and food hygiene practices, and SFA also found hygiene lapses such as poor housekeeping of appliances during the inspection.
Grade to be reviewed in 12 months
While Stamford Catering has since rectified the lapses and stepped up on the upkeep and maintenance of their premises and equipment, SFA has nevertheless taken action, adjusting the caterer’s food hygiene grade to “C” with effect from Tuesday.
This will be reviewed in 12 months, and SFA will keep the premises under surveillance in the meantime. The public can view the revised grade after 12 months at the SFA website under “Search Track Records of Licensed Food Establishments”.
SFA said in the media statement: “Food operators are reminded to adhere to good food hygiene and safety processes. Infection prevention 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.”
Spate of mass food-poisoning
Food catering service providers have come under scrutiny in recent months after a spate of mass food-poisoning cases, some involving young children.
Last month, two food caterers – Chilli Api Catering and Pro*3 Institutional Catering – also saw their food hygiene graded being downgraded to C, following a total of 45 food poisoning cases in separate incidents.
In March, a gastroenteritis outbreak affected 13 PCF Sparkletots pre-schools and P.L.A.N Student Care Centre, with 257 cases reported.
The source of food poisoning was traced to the consumption of food prepared at Kate's Catering, and its operating licence was suspended for a total of 52 days before the suspension was lifted on 17 May.
Related stories:
SFA downgrades 2 food caterers after 45 cases of food poisoning traced to them
Gastroenteritis outbreak: Number of cases rises to 257, 1 new PCF Sparkletots centre affected
