Yunhaiyao to plead guilty over mass gastroenteritis outbreak that hospitalized dozens in Singapore
A major food poisoning outbreak at ByteDance’s Singapore office has led to charges against one of the caterers involved, after a contaminated chicken dish sickened 169 people and hospitalized 47.
Contaminated Chicken Sickens ByteDance Staff
On July 30, 2024, a catered meal served at the ByteDance office at One Raffles Quay resulted in a severe outbreak of gastroenteritis. A total of 169 people fell ill, with 47 hospitalized. Investigations by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) traced the cause to meals provided by two vendors: Yunhaiyao and Pu Tien Services.
Court documents revealed that a dish of wok-fried diced chicken, catered by Yunhaiyao, contained coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria known for causing food poisoning via poor hygiene during preparation.
Legal Charges and Court Proceedings
On June 4, 2025, Yunhaiyao was formally charged with:
- One count under the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations
- One count under the Sale of Food Act
Prosecutors are seeking a total fine of S$5,000. Yunhaiyao’s CEO Lu Zhi Tao appeared in court and indicated the company will plead guilty without legal representation. The next court mention is scheduled for July 2.
Sanitary Lapses at Outlet
Just one day after the outbreak, on July 31, 2024, authorities discovered more than 10 live cockroaches at Yunhaiyao’s Northpoint City outlet. The insects were found under a plastic mat behind a storage rack. This incident compounded public concern about the caterer’s food handling standards.
Following the outbreak, both Yunhaiyao and Pu Tien Services had their food operations suspended by the SFA. These suspensions were lifted in August after both companies complied with mandatory sanitation, staff retraining, and food disposal orders.
Post-Incident Compliance and Recovery
To resume operations, the caterers were required to:
- Dispose of all prepared and perishable food
- Disinfect premises, equipment, and surfaces
- Send food handlers and hygiene officers for retraining and certification
The SFA labeled the ByteDance outbreak as “one of the more serious food poisoning cases in recent years”, reinforcing the importance of strict hygiene protocols in high-volume catering environments.
Enforcement and Broader Implications
The SFA has confirmed that enforcement action will be taken against responsible parties, with fines reaching up to S$5,000 for first-time food quality violations and S$2,000 for hygiene breaches. The agency has not yet confirmed whether Pu Tien Services will also face charges.
This case has raised significant concerns among both corporate clients and consumers about food safety accountability, especially for large-scale vendors serving office complexes and public spaces.
The ByteDance food poisoning case highlights the dangers of poor hygiene in commercial food services and underscores Singapore’s zero-tolerance stance on public health violations. For Indonesians and Singaporeans alike, it serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust safety checks in the food industry—especially when vulnerable populations or large groups are involved.
Sources: Mothership (2025) , CNA (2025)
Keywords: ByteDance Food Poisoning, Yunhaiyao Singapore, Singapore Food Safety, Chicken Bacteria Case, Staphylococcus Aureus, Caterer Fined
