Health and food safety officials in Singapore are investigating a food poisoning that has affected 60 employees at ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
The incident occurred on July 30, 2024, at the company’s office located at One Raffles Quay, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement.
A total of seventeen ambulances and several fire engines were dispatched at the scene to assist those affected.
According to a joint statement from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH), 57 individuals sought medical attention after exhibiting symptoms of gastroenteritis, which included vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Many of the affected employees reported feeling ill shortly after consuming lunch from the office canteen, which featured food from two caterers, Yun Hai Yao and Pu Tien Services.
Employee Recounts Incident
One employee described the scene as chaotic, as people vomited on the floor with cleaners rushing around the office to clear the mess.
The employee also noted that multiple floors were affected, with colleagues unable to reach toilets in time.
Also Read: TikTok Fights Back Against US Law Seeking Its Ban
“The toilets were all full and there were people lying on the floor, the whole office smelled like vomit,” said the employee.
ByteDance, through a representative, expressed their concern for the health and safety of their employees, stating, “We are taking this incident very seriously and are working closely with local authorities and caterers to identify the cause as soon as possible.”
The company said that it had 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.” said the company.
Authorities Warn Food Vendors After TikTok HQ Incident
Consequently, the Singapore Food Agency and the Ministry of Health have suspended operations of two caterers linked to the incident, requiring them to clean and sanitize their facilities.
The authorities emphasized that food safety is a shared responsibility, urging food operators to adhere to strict safety practices.
Also Read: Royal Media Staffer Dies of Food Poisoning, Several Hospitalized
“Food safety is a joint responsibility. While SFA puts in place and enforces the 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,” said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) in a joint statement with the Ministry of Health.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
