In a statement issued on Monday (Nov 24), the meal provider said it is cooperating fully with authorities after 185 gastroenteritis cases were reported across six E-Bridge preschools located in Bukit Panjang, Canberra, Montreal, Woodlands Drive, and Yishun.
According to the Communicable Diseases Agency, Singapore Food Agency (SFA), and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), a total of 173 students and 12 staff members fell ill after consuming food prepared by Middleton International School’s food business operations.
The central kitchen emphasised that no conclusive evidence has been found to link the outbreak to its meals.
“At this stage, no link has been established between the central kitchen and the reported cases,” the executive chef said, adding that food samples were sent for microbiological testing covering six common foodborne bacteria.
Preliminary results showed no contamination, though SFA will conduct further advanced testing on the samples.
Last Friday, authorities suspended the food business operations of Middleton International School as a precautionary measure. The central kitchen, located at 2 Tampines Road, provides meals to 13 E-Bridge centres, four EtonHouse centres and Middleton International School. Both E-Bridge and Middleton are under the EtonHouse International Education Group.
Notably, there have been no reported cases among students or staff at Middleton International School. Only one isolated case surfaced at an EtonHouse centre served by the same kitchen.
To safeguard children’s health, an SFA-licensed external caterer was appointed on Friday to supply meals to the affected preschools, ensuring meal services continue without disruption.
E-Bridge said in a Facebook update on Sunday that it is taking a “comprehensive and proactive approach” to boost food safety, including:
- Switching to SATS Food Services, an SFA-certified provider
- Increasing cleaning and sanitisation of high-touch areas
- Reinforcing centre-level food handling protocols
- Enhancing meal temperature checks, storage processes, and distribution routines
- Conducting more frequent wellness checks on children
Staff have been instructed to closely monitor any signs of stomach discomfort, vomiting, or diarrhoea and to inform parents immediately.
