SINGAPORE – A family of three was hospitalised after they fell ill, allegedly after eating food from hotpot chain Haidilao’s outlet at Northshore Plaza in Punggol.

The Singapore Food Agency, Ministry of Health and National Environment Agency said they are investigating the incident, in a joint reply to The Straits Times on March 20.

The authorities said they received a report that the family of three had fallen ill and were hospitalised after eating food from the outlet on March 10.

Two of those hospitalised are believed to be children.

A spokeswoman for Haidilao said the family of three had visited the outlet at Northshore Plaza for lunch on March 10 and the restaurant on March 14 received feedback from the customers that they had fallen ill.

She said the authorities subsequently inspected the outlet on March 16 and 18.

Details relating to the meal the family had were provided to the authorities. These include food products, test reports and security footage.

She added that the outlet had served a total of 220 tables on March 10 and that the family of three was the only group that reported they had fallen ill.

“We are awaiting the inspection results,” the spokeswoman said.

Internal quality inspectors conduct food safety inspections daily and third-party professional agencies disinfect and sterilise the premises every half month, she added.

The outlet at Northshore Plaza is still in operation.

The popular Chinese hotpot chain has 20 outlets in Singapore, since opening its first here in 2012.

Founded in 1994, Haidilao has more than 1,300 outlets in China and about 100 other outlets around the world.

Its restaurants are best known for their customer service.

Customers waiting for their tables are offered free manicures and snacks, and the staff also sing and dance for diners to celebrate occasions such as birthdays.