Caterer fined S$2,100 after 37 people fall ill at St Luke’s ElderCare centres

SINGAPORE: A catering company was fined S$2,100 (US$1,582) on Wednesday (Jul 31) for food safety lapses after dozens of people at several nursing homes fell ill last year from eating food that had been prepared by the caterer.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on May 18, 2023, received reports of gastroenteritis involving 37 people across four St Luke’s ElderCare centres. One person was hospitalised but has since been discharged.

The 37 people had consumed catered lunch meals supplied by +Robert Catering Services, SFA said in a news release on Friday.

MOH and SFA conducted a joint investigation at the Kaki Bukit premises of +Robert Catering Services on May 19, 2023.

A total of 12 food samples were collected, of which three samples were found to have Bacillus cereus count that had exceeded the limit stipulated in the regulations.

According to SFA’s website, Bacillus cereus is a food-borne bacteria that can be found in soil, vegetation and in the intestinal tracts of insects and mammals, causing food poisoning. 

Consumption of Bacillus cereus and the toxins it produces results in an illness nicknamed “fried rice syndrome” due to the first recognised outbreaks being linked to fried rice.

The heat from cooking stimulates the bacteria to reproduce, and leaving the food at room temperatures allows the bacteria to incubate. Reheating the food briefly does not kill Bacillus cereus nor does it neutralise the toxins it produces.

The three food samples that had an excess of Bacillus cereus were:

• Stir-fry cabbage with mushroom, carrot and baby corn
• Stir-fry cabbage
• Braised tau pok (tofu puffs)

SFA said that food safety is a “joint responsibility as food can be contaminated anywhere along the food chain”.

“While SFA continues to be vigilant and works to ensure that regulatory measures are in place and properly enforced, the industry and consumers must also play their part.”

Members of the public who come across poor food safety practices in food establishments are advised to not patronise them. 

“Food establishments should ensure their premises are clean and well-maintained, as well as adhere to proper food hygiene and food safety requirements,” SFA added. 

“SFA will take enforcement action against food operators who do not adhere to food safety regulations.”

If found guilty, offenders may be jailed for up to 12 months, be fined up to S$10,000, or both.