Tom’s Palette, a popular ice cream shop located at 51 Middle Road, recently faced a two-week business suspension and an 800 yuan fine due to health code violations. In response, a spokesperson for the shop issued an apology and outlined the steps taken to ensure customer safety.
On October 15, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced the enforcement actions against Tom’s Palette, highlighting that the establishment accumulated 12 demerit points over the past year. This penalty stemmed from two significant infractions: a failure to ensure that an employee completed necessary food hygiene registration and the sale of contaminated food.
In a video shared on Instagram the following day, Tom’s Palette addressed the situation, revealing that an investigation by the SFA in May had discovered bacteria in their pistachio-flavored ice cream, leading to the initial six-point deduction.
To enhance food safety, the shop has implemented several measures, including revising cooking techniques and requiring suppliers to provide laboratory reports.
Additionally, the spokesperson clarified that the other six demerit points were attributed to a part-time employee who was rolling ice cream cones without proper food hygiene certification. They acknowledged, “This is entirely their fault,” emphasizing a commitment to rectify the oversight.
Moving forward, Tom’s Palette has revised its hiring policies to exclusively employ certified workers in food preparation roles. Uncertified staff will now be assigned to non-food preparation tasks, such as dishwashing or working the cash register.
The spokesperson further assured customers that all employees have updated their certifications, reinforcing the shop’s dedication to maintaining high food safety standards.
You Might Be Interested In:
