Restaurant Suspended as Authorities Investigate Illness Cases Linked to Its Food
SINGAPORE: Operations at the Burger & Lobster outlet at Jewel Changi Airport have been suspended after 17 people contracted gastroenteritis from food served by the restaurant. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) issued a joint statement on May 16, confirming they were investigating six separate cases of gastroenteritis that affected customers between May 7 and 15.
As a precautionary measure, the SFA announced the suspension of the restaurant’s operations from May 16 until further notice due to the suspected ongoing transmission of the illness. Of the 17 affected individuals, four required hospitalisation, with one already discharged. The remaining three are stable, while others sought outpatient care or recovered without medical attention.
In line with the investigation, all food handlers at the premises are mandated to complete and pass the Food Safety Course Level 1 and test negative for foodborne pathogens before resuming work. Additionally, food hygiene officers must retake and pass the relevant hygiene audit training.
The restaurant’s management has been instructed to thoroughly clean and sanitise the premises, including all equipment and utensils, and dispose of all perishable and ready-to-eat food items.
In response to queries, Riccardo LaMonica, the business development director of Burger & Lobster, expressed that the cause of the outbreak was still unclear. He assured that the team at Jewel was fully cooperating with the authorities in the investigation, emphasising the seriousness with which they are treating the incident.
The SFA also reminded all food operators to maintain high standards of food safety and hygiene, warning that violations of the Environmental Public Health Act would lead to strict enforcement actions.
