SINGAPORE — The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has downgraded the food hygiene ratings of two sizeable local catering firms from “A” to “C” after a total of 45 people fell ill after eating food prepared by the two firms.

In one case, 21 people reported having gastroenteritis symptoms after consuming food provided by Pro*3 Institutional Catering at 41 Hillcrest Road — the address of National Junior College boarding school — in March this year, the SFA said on its website.

The SFA said it will keep the firm’s premises under surveillance and review the “C” rating in 12 months. The downgrade took effect on June 17.

In the other case, 24 people reported gastroenteritis symptoms after consuming food provided by Chilli Api Catering at a premises called Shimei East Kitchen in Bedok North Street 5 in December last year.

The SFA will keep the firm’s premises under surveillance and review the “C” rating in 12 months. The downgrade took effect on June 18.

Pro*3 Institutional Catering serves an average of 40,000 meals daily, according to its website, serving multinational corporations, educational institutions, boarding schools and government agencies across the island. The company also provides value-add services such as function catering refreshments, office pantry and vending services management.

Chilli Api Catering is also another major catering service that offers services to corporate offices and private functions, specialising in Peranakan cuisine.

Chilli Api Catering declined comment when contacted by TODAY.

TODAY has also contacted Pro*3 Institutional, NJC and SFA for comment.

A check on SFA’s search engine shows that Chilli Api Catering has currently accumulated eight points in the SFA’s Points Demerit System (PDS) while Pro*3 Institutional Catering currently has none.

When a firm accumulates 12 points or more within 12 months, the firm’s licence will either be suspended for two to four weeks, or be revoked, depending on past suspension records.

In 2017, the National Environment Agency (NEA) conducted some 88,000 inspections of food premises, of which 3,100 were subject to enforcement actions.