ByteDance office food poisoning: SFA lifts suspension of Yun Nans outlet at Northpoint City

SINGAPORE: The Yun Nans restaurant outlet at Northpoint City mall will be allowed to resume operations, more than two weeks after Singapore Food Agency (SFA) issued a suspension following a case of mass food poisoning at ByteDance's Singapore office.

SFA lifted the curb on Friday (Aug 16), a week after doing the same for Pu Tien Services, which also supplied food to the office of the TikTok owner.

Operations of both caterers were suspended on Jul 31 following the incident on Jul 30.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and SFA had received reports of gastroenteritis affecting 169 people who had consumed food supplied by the two caterers at ByteDance's office at One Raffles Quay.

The 17 people who were hospitalised have all since been discharged.

During the suspension period, Yun Hai Yao - which operates the Yun Nans chain of restaurants - disposed of all ready-to-eat food, thawed food and perishable food items, said SFA.

It also cleaned and sanitised its premises, including equipment and utensils, and disinfected food preparation surfaces, tables and floors. 

Food handlers have re-attended and passed a food safety course, while food hygiene officers have re-attended and passed the Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) conduct food & beverage hygiene audit course, said the agency.

Following the lifting of suspension, SFA will continue to closely monitor Yun Hai Yao to ensure that it keeps to food safety requirements.

SFA is also considering the findings from the investigations into the outbreak of gastroenteritis and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if food operators are found to be in violation of food hygiene regulations, said the agency.

Offenders can be fined up to S$2,000 (US$1,500) and, in the case of a continuing offence, fined a maximum of S$100 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.