Cause for concern: Mok looking through documents after he was told about the food poisoning cases in Johor Baru.
86 down with food poisoning after eating full moon cakes
JOHOR BARU: What was meant to be a joyful event turned into days of stomach cramps and hospitalisation when at least 86 people suffered food poisoning believed to be caused by contaminated cakes.
So Yen Ting, 28, said she ordered 50 boxes of chicken floss cakes from a bakery upon recommendation from a friend to mark her baby’s first month recently.
“I distributed the cakes to my family and friends in Johor Baru, Yong Peng and Batu Pahat. It is customary in Chinese culture to share treats with loved ones to celebrate a baby turning a month old,” she added.
However, she said many of her family and friends started suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and stomachaches after eating the cakes, adding that about 68 were affected.
“Eight were warded at a private hospital, where a female relative even had to undergo an emergency appendectomy due to severe intestinal infection.
“One of my male relatives received 20 bags of intravenous drips due to dehydration,” she said.
So, a sales executive, said medical reports confirmed salmonella infections.
The hospital reported the matter to the Health Ministry.
Another affected customer, Hiew Kai Ming, said 18 of his family and friends, aged between four and 72, fell sick about two days after eating similar cakes from the same bakery.
He had bought 28 sets of the chicken floss cakes on Oct 4 to mark his baby’s full-month celebration, too.
“Three of my loved ones sought emergency treatment and two were admitted to hospital.
“Those affected said they began experiencing diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and stomachaches after consuming the cakes,” he added.
Hiew, a pharmacist, said he sent leftover cake samples to the lab, with tests confirming salmonella contamination.
He added that he made a complaint with the bakery and provided medical proof.
So and Hiew have turned to Johor MCA Youth public services and complaints bureau chief Henry Mok for help.
Mok said he would write to the state Health Department director to request for the investigation outcome to be made public, and to check on the bakery.
Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon confirmed that the state Health Department had visited the outlet upon receiving complaints.
“Three compounds have been issued against the bakery for hygiene violations. Investigations are ongoing,” he added.
When contacted, a bakery staff member claimed that it was the outlet which contacted the Health Department on the matter.
“The department informed us that the entire investigation process usually takes about three to four weeks to conclude. We will continue to cooperate with the authorities,” the worker said in a text message.
Asked whether the bakery had received any instruction to temporarily close, the worker said the outlet was operating as usual.
