Calls to prioritise safety in debate on food donation law

MPs have called for food donors and rescuers to be thoroughly trained in handling large amounts of food safely, as they debated a proposed law that encourages the donation of unsold food while protecting businesses from lawsuits.

- Shabana Begum

The Good Samaritan Food Donation Bill Louis Ng (Nee Soon GRC) four years ago conceptualised by Mr seeks to shield donors from liability for any deaths or health issues resulting from the consumption of donated food, as long as strict hygiene and safety protocols are met.

Debating the Bill in Parliament on Aug 6, MPs stressed the need to prioritise food safety amid recent mass food poisoning incidents involving TikTok parent company Byte Dance and the Civil Defence Academy campus.

On July 30, about 130 people who ate catered food at the ByteDance office in One Raffles Quay fell ill with symptoms of gastroenteritis.

As at July 31, 17 people were hospitalised but in stable condition. The rest had sought outpatient treatment, self-medicated or recovered without treatment.

On July 23 and 24, a total of 165 Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel fell sick at the Civil Defence Academy campus in Jalan Bahar. SCDF said those affected experienced mild gastroenteritis, abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea.

Citing the two incidents, Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang) said: "Recent incidents... serve as stark reminders of the risks associated with large-scale food handling.

These situations, often involving catering or bulk cooking, can increase the likelihood of issues such as undercooking, improper storage, and prolonged exposure to hot weather.