SINGAPORE — The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has downgraded the food hygiene rating of popular catering firm Stamford Catering from “A” to “C” with effect from Tuesday (July 9). This is after 52 people fell ill after consuming food provided by the company.

In a notice posted on its website on Tuesday, the agency said that the 52 people had reported having gastroenteritis symptoms after consuming the food on March 2 this year.

One person was hospitalised and has since been discharged, and all 52 people have since recovered, it added.

The SFA disclosed that on March 5, it did a joint inspection with the Ministry of Health and there was a “high bacterial load” detected in “food and environmental samples” on Stamford Catering's premises.

This could have been a contributing factor to the outbreak, it said, adding that there were also hygiene lapses such as poor housekeeping of appliances.

Since then, Stamford Catering has “rectified the lapses and stepped up on the upkeep and maintenance of their premises and equipment”, SFA said, but it will keep the firm’s premises under surveillance and review the “C” rating in 12 months.

A check on SFA’s website shows that Stamford Catering has now accumulated six points in the agency's demerit-points system.

When a food company accumulates 12 points or more within 12 months, its licence will either be suspended for two to four weeks, or be revoked, depending on past suspension records.

TODAY has sought comment from Stamford Catering.