Mass Food Poisoning at ByteDance Singapore Office
Dozens of employees at ByteDance’s Singapore office have been hospitalised due to a food poisoning outbreak. The incident occurred on Tuesday, leaving 60 staff members with severe gastroenteritis symptoms. Out of these, 57 were admitted to the hospital for treatment.
Investigation Launched by Singapore Authorities
Singapore’s health and food safety officials are actively investigating the source of the outbreak. ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has confirmed that it is also conducting its own inquiry to determine the cause of the incident. The company does not prepare food on-site, relying instead on third-party caterers.
Emergency Response and Company’s Reaction
The severity of the outbreak prompted the dispatch of 17 ambulances to ByteDance’s office in Singapore’s business district. A ByteDance spokesperson assured that the health and safety of employees is a priority, stating, “We have taken immediate steps to support all affected employees and are collaborating with emergency services to provide necessary care.”
Authorities Stress Food Safety Compliance
In a joint statement, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Ministry of Health emphasised the importance of food safety. They warned that strict enforcement action would be taken against any food operators found to be in violation of safety practices.
Background on ByteDance and TikTok
Founded in 2012 by Chinese entrepreneurs, ByteDance first found success with the Douyin app in China before launching TikTok internationally. TikTok, which is not available in China, now boasts over a billion active users worldwide and operates out of Singapore and Los Angeles.
Ongoing Commitment to Employee Safety
ByteDance has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring employee safety and well-being, working closely with relevant authorities to investigate and resolve the incident. The company aims to prevent such occurrences in the future by enhancing its food safety protocols.
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