Authorities investigate gastroenteritis outbreak affecting 60 pupils at River Valley Primary School

Sixty pupils at River Valley Primary School developed symptoms of gastroenteritis after lunch on 14 January, triggering an investigation by Singapore’s health and food authorities.

According to a joint statement on 16 January by the Ministry of Education (MOE), Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), most affected pupils returned to school on 16 January. Four pupils were still recovering at home, but none required hospitalisation.

Authorities said the school has been actively monitoring the students’ well-being. It has also intensified cleaning and sanitisation across its premises, including canteen areas, classrooms, corridors, and stairwells.

Pupils have been reminded to practise good personal hygiene and to stay home if feeling unwell.

River Valley Primary is among 13 schools operating under the Central Kitchen Meal Model (CKMM), a system where a single caterer supplies meals instead of multiple canteen stallholders. The model was introduced to address a shortage of stall vendors.

The school's food supplier, Gourmetz, is also the appointed caterer for CHIJ (Kellock), Radin Mas Primary, Blangah Rise Primary, and Outram Secondary.

Responding to media queries, a Gourmetz spokesperson said the company was alerted to reports of suspected food poisoning on 15 January, including specific feedback about the chicken pizza served the day before.

“We take such feedback seriously and are working closely with the school leadership and the SFA to establish the facts,” the company stated. It has launched an internal review of all processes from food preparation and packaging to delivery and on-site serving.

Gourmetz apologised for the incident, acknowledging parental concerns and promising updates once confirmed findings are available.

MOE reiterated to Gourmetz the importance of maintaining food safety standards and compliance with SFA requirements. The company will continue to provide meals to students without disruption during the investigation.

Some parents told The Straits Times that their children had complained about the chicken's taste and smell, and a few pupils who avoided the chicken reportedly did not fall ill. One pupil experienced diarrhoea after consuming meat he said “did not smell good”.

A parent expressed frustration at the lack of direct communication from Gourmetz, stating that “only the school” had been in contact and calling for the caterer to offer refunds and cover medical expenses.

Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to student welfare and food safety, adding that ongoing monitoring of all CKMM providers would continue.

Broader concerns about central kitchen meal model

The outbreak comes amid earlier scrutiny of the CKMM raised in a report by Mothership in early January. The article detailed parental feedback on food quality, hygiene, and operational issues across several schools served by Gourmetz.

A parent from CHIJ (Kellock) shared that one of her daughters found a dead insect in her vegetables on the first day of CKMM service. Meals were also delayed on the second day, forcing students to rely on limited live stalls at the school.

In response, Gourmetz issued a full refund and provided complimentary meals from remaining stalls, citing “unforeseen operational challenges” as the cause of the disruption.

Another concern highlighted was food temperature. Meals were reportedly served cold or at room temperature. A parent noted that one child received cold hor fun on 7 January.

While taste was not generally criticised, parents pointed out that the portions of meat and vegetables were small compared to the rice provided. Meals cost between S$2.20 and S$3, with daily menus offering four to five options across different portion sizes.

Beyond food quality, parents also voiced concerns about the impersonal nature of the model. One parent commented, “It took away the human touch of canteen vendors and doesn’t teach kids how to handle money.”

Issues with the online ordering and payment app were also raised. CNA reported that some parents experienced difficulty depositing funds, and others faced delays in meal distribution. One parent said their child only received a meal near the end of recess, prompting the school to extend break time.

Other CKMM vendors, such as Wilmar Distribution and Chang Cheng Mee Wah, also acknowledged operational challenges. Wilmar admitted to missing food items and delays, while Chang Cheng stated it had taken feedback into account and made adjustments. CNA noted that Gourmetz did not respond to its earlier queries at the time of reporting.