Family Suffers Illness After Haidilao Meal, Woman Hospitalized

A Family Celebration Turned into a Health Crisis

A family gathering at a Haidilao hotpot restaurant in Sengkang took an unexpected turn when one of the guests ended up in the hospital due to severe gastrointestinal issues. The incident, which occurred on October 11, involved a group of 12 relatives celebrating their grandaunt’s 80th birthday at The Seletar Mall branch.

According to reports, four members of the family—Wang’s uncle, father, younger brother, and younger sister—experienced stomach pain and repeated bouts of diarrhea shortly after returning home from the meal. Wang, a 36-year-old man surnamed Wang, explained that only these four individuals had consumed the fruit plate served at the restaurant. This led the family to suspect that the fruit plate was the source of their illness.

The most affected among them was Wang’s sister, who reportedly suffered from continuous diarrhea throughout the night. The next morning, she fainted due to dehydration and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. There, she was diagnosed with gastroenteritis and received intravenous treatment. Although she was discharged later that day, it took her approximately three days to fully recover. The family estimated that the medical expenses for her treatment amounted to several hundred dollars.

The other three affected relatives experienced milder symptoms and did not require hospitalization. Despite this, the incident left the family deeply concerned about the safety of the food they consumed.

Communication with the Restaurant and Authorities

Wang stated that he initially reached out to Haidilao through email and the company’s website but did not receive a prompt response. As a result, he decided to file a report with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). He emphasized that the family was not seeking compensation but rather an explanation for what had happened.

In a statement provided to the media, a Haidilao spokesperson confirmed that the restaurant had contacted the family to offer support and pledged to cooperate with any ongoing investigations. Wang later confirmed that Haidilao apologized for the incident and promised to cover his sister’s medical expenses.

The SFA also responded to the situation, stating that it had received feedback regarding the suspected gastroenteritis case involving four diners. An inspection of the Haidilao outlet did not reveal any food safety violations, and staff were observed following proper hygiene protocols. The agency reminded customers that dining at hotpot restaurants carries certain risks, such as undercooked food or cross-contamination between raw and cooked ingredients, which can increase the likelihood of foodborne illness.

Lessons Learned and Ongoing Concerns

While the SFA found no direct evidence of food safety lapses at the restaurant, the incident has raised concerns among the family and other diners about the potential risks associated with consuming food at such establishments. The family expressed hope that Haidilao would take the matter seriously and implement additional measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

For now, the experience serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance when eating out, especially during large family gatherings where multiple dishes are shared. It also highlights the need for clear communication between consumers and businesses in the event of health-related concerns.