Please refer to the Straits Times report on 10 December 2011 "Diarrhoea Outbreak - Trainees had raised issue of mess hall hygiene”. 

 

2          The well-being of our trainees is a matter of priority for the Home Team Academy. Trainees’ feedback and observations to help maintain a high standard of hygiene in the mess and other food handling areas are to be encouraged and instructors receiving such inputs must take them seriously.

 

3          There is in place a strict regime to monitor food standards and hygiene practices of the appointed food caterer, which provides meals for more than 1,600 trainees and staff on a regular day. This includes daily cleaning of the mess hall and inspections by HTA officers. Our on-campus duty officers and medical officer regularly monitor the hygiene standards of trainees, and provide feedback on a variety of health issues. In addition, an independent external auditor performs hygiene and cleanliness inspections on the mess hall twice a year.

 

4          After the latest food poisoning outbreak was detected, we notified the caterer, M/S Select Catering immediately to suspend operations while awaiting the outcome of investigations. We directed the vendor to thoroughly clean and disinfect the mess hall. As a precautionary measure, alternative meal arrangements were made.   

 

5          We deeply regret this incident and would like to re-assure all trainees, and their families, that their well-being is our utmost concern. We are working closely with MOH and NEA in their ongoing investigations.  Appropriate action will be taken when the investigation findings are known.  We will continue to put in our best efforts to maintain a high standard in food preparation hygiene in HTA and welcome feedback for improvements.

 

Derek Pereira

Chief Executive

Home Team Academy