PSP’s Stephanie Tan calls for review of central kitchen meal model after River Valley food poisoning

Sixty pupils from River Valley Primary School fell ill with symptoms of gastroenteritis on 14 January, prompting concern over food safety practices under Singapore’s Central Kitchen Meal Model (CKMM).

Following the news of the incident, Progress Singapore Party (PSP) member Stephanie Tan issued a public statement late on 16 January, criticising the model and urging the Ministry of Education (MOE) to reconsider its approach.

“I am deeply concerned by the suspected food poisoning,” Tan wrote on her Facebook page, pointing to long-standing worries about food freshness and hygiene in centralised catering systems.

River Valley Primary is one of 13 schools under the CKMM, which centralises meal preparation with a single caterer, replacing traditional canteen stalls. The model was introduced in 2023 to address a shortage of food stall vendors in schools.

The school’s caterer, Gourmetz, is also the appointed provider for CHIJ (Kellock), Radin Mas Primary, Blangah Rise Primary, and Outram Secondary. In response to the incident, Gourmetz confirmed that it had launched an internal investigation and is cooperating with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA).

According to a joint statement by MOE, SFA, and CDA on 16 January, most pupils had returned to school, with four still recovering at home. None required hospitalisation. The school has enhanced cleaning procedures and advised students on hygiene practices.

In her statement, Tan referenced earlier complaints about the CKMM, noting students’ dissatisfaction with the taste and quality of packed bentos and food dispensing lockers.

“Operators have also faced questions about whether preparing food off-site would lead to compromises in freshness and food quality. These fears have apparently been realised,” she said.

Tan highlighted that in October 2025, the PSP proposed an alternative system involving decentralised central kitchens based within each school. She cited Japan and Sweden as models where food is cooked fresh on-site, combining freshness with scale efficiency.

“Not only will this ensure that food is cooked fresh on site, it can also balance the need for economies of scale that singular canteen stalls cannot achieve,” she wrote, linking to the party’s proposal published in its newsletter, The Palm.

Tan also lamented the loss of school canteen culture, calling canteen vendors “a human touch that will be sorely missed.” She described traditional school canteens as spaces where children learn to manage money and experience local food culture.

“For many students, their school canteen is also the first place they learnt to buy things on their own and manage their own expenses,” she noted.

Tan concluded her post by calling on Minister for Education Desmond Lee to urgently explore alternatives to the current CKMM system.

The River Valley incident is the latest to raise questions about CKMM implementation. Earlier this month, Mothership reported on parental concerns over food quality and hygiene in other CKMM schools served by Gourmetz.

Complaints included cold food, small portion sizes, and even a dead insect found in vegetables at CHIJ (Kellock). Delays in food distribution and technical issues with the online ordering system also frustrated some parents.

Gourmetz responded to the January incidents with refunds and acknowledged “unforeseen operational challenges.” While the company promised adjustments, some parents expressed dissatisfaction with the level of direct communication and demanded compensation for medical expenses.

Other CKMM vendors, including Wilmar Distribution and Chang Cheng Mee Wah, have also reported challenges such as missing items and meal delays. Adjustments have been made following parental feedback.

Despite these issues, MOE has confirmed that Gourmetz will continue to supply meals during the ongoing investigation. The ministry has reiterated the importance of food safety compliance and pledged continued monitoring of all CKMM providers.