TUNG LOK MILLENNIUM PTE LTD SUSPENSION TO BE LIFTED TODAY AFTER MEETING REQUIRED STANDARDS

           The National Environment Agency (NEA) will be lifting the suspension on Tung Lok Millennium Pte Ltd at 1 Expo Drive as it is satisfied that the measures required to rectify the lapses detected have been implemented, and operations can be resumed. This comes after the conclusion of joint investigations by the Ministry of Health (MOH), NEA and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) into the food poisoning incident that happened between 19 and 21 November 2018, traced to the consumption of food prepared at the premises. To protect consumers from public health risks, NEA had suspended the operating licence of Tung Lok Millennium Pte Ltd for a total of 62 days from 23 November 2018 to 23 January 2019.
 
Causes of Outbreak 
 
2.         In total, 190 cases reported gastroenteritis symptoms after consuming food prepared by Tung Lok Millennium Pte Ltd at 1 Expo Drive during an event held between 19 and 21 November 2018. None of the cases were hospitalised. As the majority of the cases had recovered by the time MOH was informed of the outbreak, stool samples were not available for analysis to identify the causative agent.
 
3.          Several hygiene lapses and poor kitchen habits were identified, including not providing soap for handwashing and improper use of ice dispensing utensil for ready-to-eat ice. An environmental swab taken from the bento packing table also tested positive for Bacillus cereus. 
 
Measures Taken by Tung Lok Millennium Pte Ltd 
 
4.             During the suspension period, the licensee had complied with the following measures stipulated by NEA, such as disposing all ready-to-eat food, thawed food and perishable food items; and cleaning and sanitising the premises, including equipment, utensils, work surfaces and toilets.
 
5.            The licensee had submitted their plans to ensure that good hygiene standards are observed during their food preparation. These include providing soap for handwashing, proper use of ice dispensing utensil for ready-to-eat ice, and ensuring that their staff practise good food and personal hygiene at all times. All food handlers have since re-attended and passed the Basic Food Hygiene training course. Under the enhanced Food Hygiene Officer (FHO) scheme announced in December 2018, if the licence of a food establishment is suspended, all its Food Hygiene Officers are required to go for retraining and pass the WSQ Conduct Food and Beverage Hygiene Audit course. Tung Lok Millennium Pte Ltd has appointed a new Food Hygiene Officer (FHO) at the implicated premises who has undergone and passed the WSQ Conduct Food and Beverage Hygiene Audit course.
 
Keeping Close Checks on the Premises’ Reopening 
 
6.              In addition to the 62-day suspension, NEA will be issuing a warning to Tung Lok Millennium Pte Ltd for the hygiene lapses found. Following the lifting of its suspension, NEA will place Tung Lok Millennium Pte Ltd under close surveillance to ensure that the licensee adheres to what they have submitted in their plans. 
 
Public Advisory
 
7.             We would like to remind members of the public that food poisoning can occur anywhere. Poor food preparation practices (e.g. using the same chopping board/ knife for both raw and cooked food without washing between uses) and poor personal hygiene (e.g. not washing hands after using the toilet and before preparing food) can contribute to food poisoning even in the home. 
 
8.            For health related queries, members of the public can contact MOH at 1800 – 2254122. For feedback on any hygiene lapses, the public may contact NEA at the 24-hr hotline 1800-2255 632.