TungLok Catering’s License Pulled After 190 Folks Catch the Crank
A bit of a food fiasco at Singapore Expo: the catering arm of the famous TungLok Group had its operating license taken off the table on Friday, after a whopping 190 people reported feeling worse after munching on the bento boxes they made. No one ended up in the hospital, but the authorities are on the case.
The Short‑Sizzle
Why the Frown?
Gastro‑enteritis, the all‑time “you‑just‑happened‑to‑eat‑something” disease, is a gastrointestinal villain. It can be viral or bacterial, and its side‑kick set includes vomiting and diarrhea. The National Environment Agency (NEA), the Ministry of Health (MOH), and Agri‑Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) are teaming up to crack the case.
- Initial Signs: After feeding cooking staff and guests at the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) public exhibition, people started feeling queasy.
- Immediate Action: NEA suspended TungLok’s licence “until further notice.”
- Health Checks: Food handlers went for the Basic Food Hygiene Course again, got stool screenings, and food‑environment samples went under the microscope.
- Lab Scrutiny: All retained food samples are already in the lab for testing extra safety.
TungLok’s Take
“We’ve been catering at the Expo for six years, and this is the first time anything went sideways,” said Andrew Tjioe, the group’s president & CEO.“Our kitchens are certified ‘A’, and we are fully ready to cooperate with the investigation.”TungLok is henceforth shutting down their kitchen at the Expo for the duration of the probe. Meanwhile, the main kitchen on Tai Seng Street will keep on catering other events. The group hopes this blot doesn’t spill onto the rest of their gigs.
SCDF’s Perspective
“Some of our officers and overseas emergency services guests felt sick after lunch. They’ve fully recovered now.”
“We’re teaming up with the Expo management to pinpoint the exact cause.”
“Your health matters to us; we’ll monitor the situation closely.”
Expo Assures the Crowd
The Expo’s own spokesperson assured that other events are safe, thanks to certified partner caterers and strict food‑safety standards. The message was clear: “We’re serious about food hygiene – your wellbeing is our top priority.”
A Word to Food Operators
NEA reminds everyone: keep your patty and plates clean. If you spot a smoking, unsanitary kitchen, call the 24‑hour hotline at 1800‑225‑5632. No excuses – the Environmental Public Health Act is strict, and violations aren’t taken lightly.
Bottom Line
Let’s hope this case cools down fast and serves as a lesson in keeping your kitchen and your guests happy—and healthy!
