No definitive evidence links the 187 gastroenteritis cases reported during Singapore’s Total Defence Exercise in February to the ready-to-eat meals distributed as part of the exercise, according to a joint statement released by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Ministry of Health (MoH) on April 15.
“Both food safety and clinical findings did not pinpoint the ready-to-eat (RTE) meals as the definitive cause of the incident,” the agencies stated in their announcement.
The investigation included comprehensive laboratory testing of meal samples, environmental swabs from equipment and contact surfaces at the premises of the RTE food manufacturer Sats, as well as stool samples from affected individuals and food handlers. Results revealed no food-borne pathogens present. Additionally, SFA’s inspection of Sats’ manufacturing facilities and processes found no food safety violations.
Sats developed the RTE meals specifically for public consumption during national emergencies. As part of the 2025 Exercise SG Ready, 150,000 such meals were scheduled for distribution between February 15 and 28 through the Food Resilience Preparedness Programme.
The 187 people who experienced gastroenteritis symptoms represented just 0.2 percent of all participants in the program. Previous reports indicated that 184 cases occurred in schools, two in active ageing centres, and one in a public agency.
Authorities suspended distribution of the RTE meals on February 20 following the initial reports of illness. By that point, more than 100,000 meals had already been delivered to over 200 locations across Singapore.
Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment had previously addressed the situation in Parliament on March 4, noting that SFA had inspected Sats’ premises on January 23 before meal distribution began and found them to be clean with no food safety violations detected.
According to the joint statement, SFA is now working closely with Sats to review and strengthen the company’s food production processes moving forward.
In response to the findings, Sats Food Solutions CEO expressed satisfaction that the company’s RTE meals were cleared by the investigation, which had subjected their “production facilities, kitchen staff and operational practices” to “a comprehensive review to assess food safety across the production cycle.”
“We hope that the SFA and MOH findings offer additional assurance of the high food safety standards in place within Sats kitchens,” the CEO stated, adding, “We take this opportunity to emphasise and assure everyone that food safety is our highest priority.”
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading food poisoning lawyer said, “Feeding large numbers of people takes extreme care in adhering to food safety guidelines and practices. The consequence for not doing so can result in significant foodborne illness.”
