The CEO of a catering company admitted guilt on Wednesday for a serious food poisoning incident that affected 60 ByteDance employees last year, as reported by Channel News Asia.
Lu Zhi Tao, head of Yunhaiyao, pleaded guilty for his company regarding the July 30, 2024, incident at ByteDance’s office canteen in One Raffles Quay.
An investigation by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) revealed that the wok-fried diced chicken served to employees was contaminated. Tests showed staphylococcus aureus bacteria levels exceeding safe limits, with a shocking 200,000 colony-forming units per gram—far above the allowable limit of 100 units.
Employees who ate the tainted chicken reported severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, requiring hospital care across various Singaporean medical facilities.
The SFA’s National Centre for Food Science concluded that the chicken was the main source of the food poisoning. Staphylococcus aureus can thrive in improperly cooked or stored foods, often due to poor hygiene during food preparation.
Following this disturbing incident, inspectors from the SFA examined Yunhaiyao’s facilities at the Yun Nans restaurant in Northpoint City. They found over ten live cockroaches in unsanitary conditions, which resulted in the immediate disposal of infested materials.
Lu now faces charges for both the infestation and for failing to provide safe food under local food safety regulations. The SFA prosecutor, Mohd Rizal, asked for a fine of S$5,500 for Yunhaiyao, noting that this was their first offense. However, District Judge Janet Wang postponed sentencing, seeking more information about the incident’s impact on the victims.
Judge Wang emphasized the public interest in the case, requesting details about the injuries suffered by the victims, the medical care they received, and any medical leave granted due to their illnesses.
The lunch service on the day of the incident included food from both Yunhaiyao and another catering company, but only Yunhaiyao’s food was implicated in the outbreak. ByteDance, known for owning TikTok, regularly provides meals for its employees in Singapore.
Yunhaiyao is known for its Yun Nans restaurant chain and corporate catering services. Interestingly, the company had no prior violations related to food safety, according to court records.
Sentencing is set for July 17 as the court reviews the additional information requested by Judge Wang.
This incident shines a light on the importance of food safety regulations. As consumer awareness grows, companies must prioritize hygiene to maintain trust. According to a 2022 survey by the Food Safety Authority, 65% of consumers would avoid a restaurant after hearing about foodborne illness outbreaks. The stakes have never been higher for businesses like Yunhaiyao, as public scrutiny and potential consequences increase.
In a world where social media amplifies issues quickly, brands need to be vigilant. A single incident can lead to significant backlash, affecting not just public opinion but also financial standing. As experts emphasize, the key lies in maintaining strict hygiene practices and ensuring that food quality meets safety standards.
