47 people vomit, suffer abdominal pain after eating food at ByteDance office at Raffles Place

A total of 47 individuals were conveyed to hospitals after a suspected mass food poisoning case at the ByteDance Singapore office in Raffles Place at around 3:15pm on Jul. 30.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in its updated statement that 47 persons who experienced symptoms of abdominal pain and vomiting were conveyed to the hospitals.

The number of individuals was previously 41.

Lianhe Zaobao reported that it understands that some employees of the Chinese tech giant experienced food poisoning-like symptoms after consuming food at ByteDance's canteen located on the 26th floor of One Raffles Quay.

ByteDance investigating

In response to Mothership's queries, a ByteDance spokesperson said the company takes the health and safety of its employees "very seriously" and has taken "immediate steps to support all affected employees", including working with emergency services to provide care.

"We are investigating the matter and are working with the relevant authorities on this," added the spokesperson.

Mothership understands that the food consumed by the employees was catered by licensed external vendors engaged by ByteDance and not prepared or cooked at its office premises.

SFA, MOH investigating

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) also told Mothership that they are investigating the gastroenteritis cases reported at ByteDance's office.

As of Jul. 30, 60 individuals were reported to have developed gastroenteritis symptoms, of whom 57 have sought medical attention in hospitals, added the authorities.

SFA and MOH also emphasised that food safety is "a joint responsibility", and while SFA puts in place and enforces regulatory measures, "food operators must play their part by adhering to good food safety practices".

"SFA will not hesitate to take enforcement action against errant food operators," the statement read.

SCDF deployed 17 ambulances

SCDF confirmed with Mothership that it received multiple calls for medical assistance at One Raffles Quay on Jul. 30 afternoon.

A total of 17 ambulances were deployed to the location, and SCDF set up a first aid point at the building to assess individuals who were experiencing symptoms of abdominal pain and vomiting.

In an updated statement issued at 8:14pm, SCDF said all its personnel and emergency vehicles had returned to their respective fire stations and fire posts.

Similar outbreak last week

The suspected mass food poisoning case at ByteDance took place approximately a week after 165 individuals experienced gastroenteritis at the Singapore Civil Defence Force Civil Defence Academy on Jul. 23 and 24.

None of them were hospitalised as of Jul. 24, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a joint statement.

A SCDF spokesperson also told Mothership that the cookhouse and dormitories have all been "thoroughly cleaned and disinfected" following the incident.

Specifically, the cookhouse remains closed with alternative meal arrangements having been made, added the spokesperson.

SFA and MOH are currently investigating the cases.

Top image via Lianhe Zaobao