Dozens of workers at TikTok‘s parent company ByteDance‘s Singapore office have fallen ill due to a mass food poisoning incident that took place recently.
According to Sky News reports, at least 60 employees developed symptoms of gastroenteritis, including cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Out of these, 57 sought medical treatment at hospitals.
ByteDance, which owns TikTok, said that it is currently investigating the incident.Seventeen ambulances, fire engines, a mass decontamination vehicle, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force were dispatched to the ByteDance offices, as reported by The Straits Times. It is understood that ByteDance uses external suppliers for its office canteen, with no food prepared on-site.
“We are investigating the matter and are working with the relevant authorities on this,” a ByteDance spokesperson told Sky News. “We take the health and safety of our employees very seriously.”
The spokesperson added that 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, part of Sky’s US partner network NBC News, the Singapore Food Agency and Ministry of Health confirmed they were investigating the suspected gastroenteritis cases. “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.
Founded in China, ByteDance has its headquarters in Singapore.
According to Sky News reports, at least 60 employees developed symptoms of gastroenteritis, including cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Out of these, 57 sought medical treatment at hospitals.
ByteDance, which owns TikTok, said that it is currently investigating the incident.Seventeen ambulances, fire engines, a mass decontamination vehicle, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force were dispatched to the ByteDance offices, as reported by The Straits Times. It is understood that ByteDance uses external suppliers for its office canteen, with no food prepared on-site.
“We are investigating the matter and are working with the relevant authorities on this,” a ByteDance spokesperson told Sky News. “We take the health and safety of our employees very seriously.”
The spokesperson added that 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, part of Sky’s US partner network NBC News, the Singapore Food Agency and Ministry of Health confirmed they were investigating the suspected gastroenteritis cases. “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.
Founded in China, ByteDance has its headquarters in Singapore.