SINGAPORE – A buffet restaurant at Shangri-La Hotel had its food hygiene grade lowered from “A” to “C” after 10 people fell sick after dining there in late 2022.

They had developed gastroenteritis symptoms after eating at The Line restaurant on Dec 26, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said last Friday.

Two of them were hospitalised, it added. Gastroenteritis symptoms include diarrhoea and vomiting.

The SFA and Ministry of Health, in a joint operation, identified no hygiene lapses during an inspection on Dec 30, 2022.

However, the SFA has downgraded the restaurant’s food hygiene grade for 12 months, starting on Sept 8, with the premises kept under surveillance.

When contacted, a Shangri-La Singapore spokesman said that the hotel immediately reviewed and changed seafood suppliers out of caution, following feedback from diners who fell sick after eating seafood served on Dec 26.

The hotel, located in Orange Grove Road, also apologised to the affected diners and followed up on their well-being. 

“We would like to assure the public that this was an isolated incident... Although no hygiene lapses were identified by the authorities subsequently, we have further strengthened our stringent food safety and hygiene practices,” the spokesman added.

In a statement, SFA reminded food operators to observe good food safety practices at all times.

“Good hygiene practices such as the washing of hands before handling food can greatly reduce the incidence of gastroenteritis when adopted by all key stakeholders, including the industry and public,” it said.