Feb 16, 2011
$1,000 fine for unlicensed catering
AN UNLICENSED caterer has been fined $1,000 for preparing and supplying food that caused 38 people to fall sick with food poisoning.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) had charged Liau Tiak Guan in court on Tuesday for operating Robert Catering Services from his home in Yishun without a licence.
On Dec 24 last year, he prepared and delivered food to a private event at Kum Yan Woodlands Methodist Church on Woodlands Street 13.
According to the NEA, 38 people fell ill with diarrhoea and vomiting after eating the food. One person had to be hospitalised; all of them have since recovered.
While investigators were unable to determine the actual cause of the food poisoning, they found that Liau had delivered the food in disposable aluminium trays without proper temperature-control equipment.
If caught, unlicensed food caterers face a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine upon the first conviction, and a $4,000 fine and/or a three-month jail term upon second and subsequent convictions.
The public is advised to check the NEA website for the list of licensed food caterers. They can also call 1800-2255-632.
