Shiok Kitchen Catering Pte. Ltd. fined $8,000 for food safety lapses

           Shiok Kitchen Catering Pte. Ltd. was fined $8,000 by the Court today for food safety lapses.

2          In Nov and Dec 2023, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA) received reports of gastroenteritis involving 395 individuals after consuming food catered by Shiok Kitchen Catering Pte. Ltd. None were hospitalised.

3         SFA and MOH conducted joint inspections at Shiok Kitchen Catering Pte. Ltd.’s premises at 1 Senoko Avenue, #05-02, and found food safety lapses, such as a dirty chiller, a dirty ice making machine, a dirty kitchen scale and cockroaches in an unused chiller. In addition, a food sample of ready-to-eat spinach, collected from the premises for laboratory testing, was found to be unfit for human consumption.

4          In the interest of public health, SFA has directed the licensee to suspend their operations from 14 December 2023 to 5 January 2024 to rectify the lapses and take necessary measures to improve the food safety practices and cleanliness of its premises.

Left: Cockroaches in unused chiller Right: Dirty Kitchen scale (Photos: SFA)

5          Food safety is a joint responsibility. While SFA continues to be vigilant and works to ensure that the regulatory measures are in place and properly enforced, the industry and consumers should also play their part as food can be contaminated anywhere along the food chain.

6          Food establishments should ensure their premises are clean and well-maintained, as well as adhere to proper food hygiene and food safety requirements. SFA will take enforcement action against food operators who do not adhere to the Sale of Food (Non-Retail Food Business) Regulations. Offenders are liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $100 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.

7          Members of the public who come across poor hygiene practices in food establishments are advised not to patronise them and provide feedback via our online feedback form with details for our follow-up investigations.