Food Resilience Programme Paused After Food Poisoning Outbreak in Singapore Schools
Singapore’s national food resilience drill was abruptly suspended after 20 students from the School of the Arts (SOTA) fell ill due to food poisoning. Authorities are investigating potential lapses in food handling and distribution.
Singapore’s Total Defence food resilience programme, designed to test the nation's preparedness for food supply disruptions, has been temporarily suspended following a food poisoning outbreak at the School of the Arts (SOTA).
The programme, which involved distributing ready-to-eat emergency meals to students across various schools, faced a setback when 20 SOTA students reported symptoms of food poisoning after consuming the meals.
“It was supposed to be a preparedness drill, but instead, it turned into a real-life health scare,” said one affected student.
Authorities are now racing to identify the cause, while experts warn that lapses in food storage or transportation may have contributed to the incident.
What Went Wrong?
As of February 20, the issue appears to be isolated to SOTA, with no reports of similar cases from other participating schools.
However, food safety experts believe improper handling of meals during storage or delivery could be to blame.
Potential lapses being investigated include:
✔️ Storage conditions – Was the food kept at the correct temperature?
✔️ Transportation – Did delays or exposure to heat affect food quality?
✔️ Packaging integrity – Were the meals sealed properly to prevent contamination?
Dr. Alan Ng, a food safety specialist, noted:
"Even if the food was prepared under strict hygiene standards, a lapse in the cold chain during transportation can create the perfect conditions for bacteria to grow."
Parents and Students Express Concern
The incident has left many parents worried about food safety in schools.
“We trust the system to ensure our children are safe, but this is alarming. What if the same thing happens during an actual emergency?” said one concerned parent.
Meanwhile, some students who participated in the drill but did not fall ill expressed relief but also skepticism about future exercises.
“I was lucky not to get sick, but I’m now wary of these emergency meals,” a secondary school student shared.
What’s Next?
The government has paused the programme for a full review and assured the public that food safety will remain a top priority.
✅ Key actions being taken:
? Thorough investigation into food handling processes by authorities and caterer SATS.
? Immediate reassessment of storage and transport protocols.
? Stricter safety measures before resuming the programme.
Meanwhile, food safety experts emphasize the need for stricter checks and continuous monitoring to restore public confidence in such preparedness drills.