SINGAPORE - A Chinese restaurant in Clarke Quay has had operations suspended for two weeks over unsanitary food handling practices.
The branch for hotpot chain Haidilao has been closed since Sunday (Feb 10), and a company representative told The Straits Times it was "under renovation".
The restaurant is directly managed by Sichuan Haidilao Catering Co. The group has six other branches in Singapore - at Novena Royal Square, 313@Somerset, IMM Building, VivoCity, Bedok Mall and Plaza Singapura. All these branches remain open.
The chain has more than 200 outlets in 60 Chinese cities, as well as outlets in Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Seoul.
The restaurant's Clarke Quay branch in River Valley Road was also fined $800 by the National Environment Agency (NEA) for accumulating 12 demerit points over the past 12 months over the handling of food with bare hands and the selling of unclean food.
Licensees who accumulate 12 or more demerit points during a 12-month period may have their licences suspended for either two or four weeks, or cancelled, depending on their past record, said the NEA.
It added that all food handlers working in suspended premises must attend and pass the Basic Food Hygiene Course again before being allowed to resume work.
The agency said: "NEA takes a serious view of these offences and would like to remind food operators to observe good food and personal hygiene practices at all times, and to engage only registered food handlers."
The agency reiterated that it would not hesitate to take firm action against anyone found to be in violation of the Environmental Public Health Act. It advised members of the public to call 1800-225-5632 with details of such violations.
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...-chain-suspended-for-unsanitary-food-handling