Initial findings of no contamination not conclusive: Experts

Tests for 6 common bacteria may miss out other pathogens linked to food poisoning

- Zhaki Abdullah

Though preliminary results from tests conducted on food linked to 185 cases of gastroenteritis infections recently suggest no contamination, these findings cannot be taken as conclusive, experts say.

On Nov 21, 173 pupils and 12 employees from six E-Bridge preschools reported gastroenteritis symptoms after consuming food supplied by Middleton International School. Such symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea.

EtonHouse International Education Group, which operates E-Bridge preschools, said on Nov 24 that preliminary results from tests conducted on food samples showed that they were not contaminated.

EtonHouse said the central kitchen had sent samples of the catered food for microbiological testing at Merieux NutriSciences AQ (Singapore) Lab, separate from the tests being conducted by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).

According to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, the most common bacteria associated with food poisoning are Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacillus cereus and E.coli.

However, gastroenterologist Benjamin Yip, medical director of Alpha Digestive and Liver Centre, noted that while the lab had tested for six common bacteria found in contaminated food, there are many more bacteria and viruses that can cause food poisoning.

Other bacteria associated with food poisoning include Shigella while viruses include the norovirus.