Dozens Of TikTok Staff Hospitalized After Mass Food Poisoning
By
OSABUOHIEN VIVIAN ROSE
About 60 staff at the Singapore office of TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, have been hospitalized in an apparent food poisoning outbreak.
The people developed gastroenteritis symptoms – which include cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting – with 57 of them seeking hospital treatment.
ByteDance had said it is investigating the incident.
Seventeen ambulances, fire engines, a mass decontamination vehicle and Singapore Civil Defence Force were sent to the ByteDance offices, according to The Straits Times.
It was reported that ByteDance uses external suppliers in its office canteen and no food is prepared on-site.
“We are investigating the matter and are working with the relevant authorities on this,” a ByteDance spokesperson said.
“We take the health and safety of our employees very seriously,”
They added the company had “taken immediate steps to support all affected employees, including working with emergency services to provide care”.
In a joint statement sent to CNBC, the Singapore Food Agency and Ministry of Health said they were investigating suspected gastroenteritis cases Tuesday.
“As of 30 July 2024, 60 individuals were reported to have developed gastroenteritis symptoms, of whom 57 have sought medical attention in hospitals,” the statement said.
