60 people Mass Food Poisoning Incident Hits ByteDance Office in Singapore
A sudden outbreak of gastroenteritis has struck the office of TikTok owner ByteDance at One Raffles Quay in Singapore, leaving 60 people ill and prompting an investigation by local authorities. As of Tuesday evening, 57 of those affected had sought medical attention at various hospitals, including Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, and Raffles Hospital.
The incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon, with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) receiving multiple calls for medical assistance at 3:15 pm. A total of 17 ambulances were deployed to the scene, and 47 people were taken to hospitals after experiencing symptoms of abdominal pain and vomiting. According to SCDF, all of those affected had consumed food from the same source earlier in the day.
ByteDance has confirmed that the incident occurred after employees visited the L26 canteen, which serves “China-style Chinese food” and is a popular option among staff. The company has since closed the buffet section of the canteen pending the outcome of the investigation. In a statement, ByteDance said it is taking the incident “very seriously” and is working closely with local authorities and caterers to identify the cause.
An employee who wished to remain anonymous described the scene as “quite chaotic,” with people vomiting on the floor and in the pantry, and cleaners rushing to clean up the mess. “The whole office smelled like vomit,” the employee said. The staff member added that those who visited a general practitioner (GP) clinic were given three days of sick leave.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Ministry of Health (MOH) are investigating the reported gastroenteritis cases and have emphasized the importance of food safety. “Food safety is a joint responsibility,” they said in a joint statement. “While SFA puts in place and enforces the regulatory measures, food operators must play their part by adhering to good food safety practices.” The agencies warned that they will not hesitate to take enforcement action against errant food operators.
This incident comes just a week after more than 160 personnel at the SCDF academy fell ill with gastroenteritis, with investigations still ongoing. ByteDance has assured that it is taking immediate steps to support all affected employees, including working with emergency services to provide care. The company is also investigating the matter and cooperating with relevant authorities.
The incident highlights the importance of maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene, particularly in large-scale catering operations. As the investigation continues, authorities will be working to identify the root cause of the outbreak and take necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.