Singapore – A mass food poisoning incident has struck the Singapore office of ByteDance, the owner of popular short-video app TikTok, affecting 130 employees.
According to a joint statement by the Singapore Food Agency and Ministry of Health, 17 individuals were hospitalized and are currently in stable condition, while the rest have sought outpatient treatment, self-medicated, or recovered without treatment.
The incident occurred after employees consumed food provided by local suppliers Yun Hai Yao and Pu Tien Services, which have since been suspended until further notice by the Singapore Food Agency.
ByteDance is investigating the matter and working with authorities to determine the cause of the food poisoning.
Affected individuals experienced symptoms of abdominal pain and vomiting, with multiple people treated by paramedics at the office building located in Singapore’s business district.
The incident raises concerns about food safety and office health protocols, particularly in a high-profile company like ByteDance, which has faced scrutiny over its Chinese ownership and ties to China.
In recent months, the US government has passed a bill to force the app’s Chinese owner to sell it or face a ban, citing national security concerns.
The Singapore office is one of TikTok’s headquarters, with CEO Shou Zi Chew being a third-generation Singaporean citizen.
This incident is a developing story, and more updates will be provided as further information becomes available.
