Burger & Lobster fined S$3,000 for food safety lapses after gastroenteritis outbreak at its Jewel Changi Airport outlet in 2022
Outbreak affected 132 individuals with 5 hospitalised; Two other companies also fined for food-related lapses
Ronald Goh
·News and Lifestyle Producer
Fri, 12 April 2024 at 5:20 am GMT+1
Dirty oven toaster at Burger & Lobster Singapore (left) and photo of restaurant (Photos: SFA and Facebook/Burger & Lobster Singapore)
SINGAPORE — Burger & Lobster Singapore was fined S$3,000 for three food safety lapses, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) in a media release on Thursday (11 April). They include poor housekeeping, cracked kitchen floor tiles, using a dirty oven toaster, and failure to employ a food hygiene officer.
In May 2022, SFA received reports of a gastroenteritis outbreak that affected 132 people after they consumed food at the restaurant's Jewel Changi Airport outlet between 7 and 15 May 2022. Five of them were hospitalised.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) and SFA conducted a joint investigation at the premises, and found the multiple food safety lapses. SFA suspended Burger & Lobster's food business operations from 16 May to 5 July 2022 in the interest of public health, and directed the restaurant to take necessary measures to improve food safety practices and the cleanliness of its premises.
"All food operators should ensure that their premises are clean and well-maintained, and staff are adequately trained on proper food safety management," said SFA.
Offenders could face a fine not exceeding S$2,000. Offenders with continuing offence could face a further fine of up to S$100 for every day or part thereof, during which the offence continues after conviction.
