Pow Sing Restaurant suspended after 29 gastroenteritis cases

(Photo of chicken rice dish from Pow Sing Delivery on its Facebook page)

Pow Sing Restaurant, which specialises in chicken rice, has its license suspended after an outbreak of gastroenteritis linked to its food.

In a joint statement on Wednesday (13 July), The Ministry of Health (MOH), National Environment Agency (NEA), and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said they are investigating cases of gastroenteritis reported between 4 and 11 July that are linked to the consumption of food prepared at Pow Sing.

As of Tuesday (12 July), 29 cases of gastroenteritis were confirmed.

The authorities were first notified of the cases on 4 July and conducted joint inspections of the restaurant’s premises the next day. They noted hygiene lapses at the restaurant, including failure to maintain temperature records and allowing an unregistered food handler to prepare food.

After further notification of more affected cases on Monday (11 July), the authorities said there is reason to suspect that there might be a continuing source of infection in the restaurant’s premises.

NEA then suspended Pow Sing’s license, which took effect on Wednesday (13 July). It ordered Pow Sing to dispose all ready-to-eat food, thawed food and perishable food items, conduct thorough cleaning and sanitising of its premises and fix lapses in its food preparation processes.

AVA has collected food samples from Pow Sing for laboratory tests while MOH has collected stool samples from the affected cases.

The restaurant’s food handlers have been sent for stool screening. Only food handlers who are tested, and have re-attended and passed the Basic Food Hygiene Course will be allowed to resume work.

NEA will take enforcement actions against the restaurant for hygiene infringements based on the joint findings of the agencies.