Deli Hub Catering suspended after 53 people fall ill with gastroenteritis symptoms at two MOE kindergartens
A total of 51 students and two staff members fell ill with gastroenteritis symptoms between Oct 21 and Oct 23.
The cases were reported at MOE Kindergarten @ Springdale in Anchorvale Link (pictured) and MOE Kindergarten @ Gongshang in Tampines Street 42. (Image: Ministry of Education Singapore website)
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SINGAPORE: Deli Hub Catering has been ordered to suspend its food business operations after 53 people, including 51 students, developed gastroenteritis symptoms at two Ministry of Education (MOE) kindergartens.
The suspension took effect on Tuesday (Oct 27) and will remain in place until further notice, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) and MOE said in a joint media release.
As of Monday, 51 students and two staff members had been reported to have developed gastroenteritis symptoms between Oct 21 and Oct 23 after consuming food supplied by the caterer.
Those affected had either sought outpatient treatment, self-medicated or recovered without treatment. None were hospitalised.
The cases were reported at MOE Kindergarten @ Springdale in Anchorvale Link and MOE Kindergarten @ Gongshang in Tampines Street 42.
Deli Hub Catering had been engaged by the Kindergarten Care (KCare) operator serving both kindergartens.
MOE is working with CDA, SFA and the affected kindergartens to assist in investigations.
Both kindergartens have stepped up hygiene and precautionary measures, including thorough cleaning and disinfection of affected areas.
The KCare operator has also arranged for an alternative food supplier to serve the two kindergartens while the suspension remains in effect.
As part of the suspension, Deli Hub Catering must clean and sanitise its premises, equipment and utensils.
All food workers at the premises must also re-attend and pass the Food Safety Course Level 1 and test negative for foodborne pathogens before resuming work.
The appointed food hygiene officer must also re-attend and pass the Food Safety Course Level 3 before resuming duties.
In the meantime, the KCare operator has arranged for another food supplier for the two kindergartens.
Deli Hub Catering was previously fined for hygiene lapses following a gastroenteritis incident in 2022, when 21 people fell ill after consuming food prepared by the company.
In September 2023, SFA said inspections had uncovered several hygiene lapses, including a dirty freezer, unclean food preparation containers and empty paper towel dispensers.
The company was fined S$4,000.
SFA reiterated that food safety is a shared responsibility and reminded food businesses to maintain good food safety practices at all times.
The agency said it would not hesitate to take firm action against anyone found to have violated the Environmental Public Health Act.
Members of the public who encounter poor food safety practices were advised not to patronise the establishments and to report them to SFA for follow-up investigations.
