Caterer Gourmetz fined $13k over River Valley Primary gastroenteritis outbreak
The caterer behind the meals served at River Valley Primary School has been fined 13,000 dollars over a gastroenteritis outbreak that struck dozens of pupils. Gourmetz, which operates the school's canteen and its central kitchen, was convicted of food safety lapses on Friday, 9 October. Between 14 and 16 January this year, some 60 students reported food poisoning symptoms after eating meals prepared at the central kitchen. The Singapore Food Agency later confirmed 45 of the cases as gastroenteritis. One child needed hospital treatment but has since recovered. Inspectors from the food agency and the Communicable Diseases Agency examined the kitchen premises at 1 Enterprise Road and identified multiple lapses, including violations connected to food storage. A follow-up inspection was then carried out at the site. The fine brings a formal reckoning for an outbreak that ran over three days in January.
Caterer Gourmetz has been fined $13,000 for food safety lapses after about 45 River Valley Primary School pupils went down with gastroenteritis from eating central kitchen meals.The company, which operates the school's canteen, was convicted on Friday (Oct 9).Between Jan 14 and 16 this year, a total of 60 students reported food poisoning symptoms.In a media release on Friday, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) confirmed 45 gastroenteritis cases. One student was hospitalised and has since recovered.SFA and the Communicable Diseases Agency inspected Gourmetz's kitchen premises at 1 Enterprise Road and identified multiple food safety lapses, including food storage violations.A follow-up inspection by SFA found additional food storage violations as well as false food labelling.Court documents seen by AsiaOne state that on Jan 16, Gourmetz had failed to ensure its establishment was properly maintained and kept clean.