Twenty-two unregistered food handlers were arrested at the Geylang Serai Bazaar in a joint operation by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Environment Agency (NEA) and Singapore Police Force yesterday.
"During the inspection, we found 22 unregistered food handlers who were also working illegally," an MOM spokesman told The Straits Times. "They were arrested and investigations are ongoing."
Earlier yesterday, Pasir Ris-Punggol MP Zainal Sapari addressed the issue after photos circulated online and via WhatsApp, showing men being arrested at a dendeng, or meat jerky, stall at the bazaar.
Responding to comments on public Facebook group Halal Cafe & Restaurants in Singapore, where some netizens speculated that the arrests were over halal food issues, Mr Zainal wrote: "It was a joint operation between NEA, police and MOM. During the inspection, they found unlicensed food handlers who were also working illegally, which is an arrestable offence."
The Straits Times understands that the men were arrested yesterday afternoon.
The Geylang Serai Bazaar, featuring around 1,000 stalls, opened last Friday and will run till June 24.