May 29, 2017, 06:09 PM 
The Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh outlet at Simpang Bedok will be closed for two weeks till June 12, 2017.
The eatery has been suspended after it accumulated 14 demerit points over a 12-month period for failing to keep its premises clean and for preparing food on the floor.
The bak kut teh restaurant was also fined S$1,000 by the National Environment Agency (NEA).
The suspension starts on Tuesday, May 30.
Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh is a social enterprise that hires ex-convicts to give them a chance to integrate back into society.
The boss, Jabez Tan, has since issued a clarification to address the news reports of the eatery's suspension as a result of "preparing food on the floor":
According to him, the raw pork ribs were wrapped up and placed in a box that weighed 30kg in total.
As it was too heavy to be placed on the table, it was left on the floor.
However, NEA guidelines require food to be at least six inches off the ground.
Tan, who is periodically featured in the media for his role in helping ex-offenders like him rehabilitate into society, is appealing to customers for their understanding.
NEA regulations state that all food handlers working in the suspended premises would also be required to attend and pass the Basic Food Hygiene Course again, before they can resume work.
An accumulation of 12 or more demerit points in a 12-month period may result in an establishment's licence being suspended for two or four weeks, or revoked.
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