KUALA LUMPUR — A food poisoning incident during a government agency’s family day at the Sunway Lagoon theme park in Selangor on October 4, 2025, has been traced back to food contamination, with improper food handling and long food storage times cited as key contributors.
The incident, which affected 322 out of 4,710 participants (around 6.8%), saw attendees experiencing symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps. While the majority of those affected were adults (92%), children and teenagers were also among the reported cases. Fortunately, no fatalities or ICU admissions have been reported.
According to the investigation by the Selangor Health Department (JKNS), food preparation was carried out in large quantities by a limited number of staff, which likely contributed to the poor hygiene practices.
Extended food storage times before serving and the possibility of cross-contamination during the preparation process were also identified as major factors leading to the outbreak.
“In large events like this, food safety is paramount,” JKNS said in a statement.
“We have identified lapses in food handling procedures, and this is a reminder of the importance of maintaining rigorous hygiene practices.”
Following the outbreak, JKNS swiftly ordered the closure of the theme park’s kitchen for cleaning and disinfecting. The kitchen was allowed to reopen only after it met all necessary food safety requirements.
Despite the incident, the theme park itself remained open, as the contamination was found to be limited to the kitchen and not related to the park’s environment. This decision to keep the park operational has sparked criticism from some quarters.
On Wednesday, Scoop reported that the department had not revealled the findings of the investigation into the major food poisoning outbreak that affected staff and family members of the government agency at the October 4 family day.
While the kitchen was closed for two weeks (from October 7 to October 21), the park remained open, exposing the Department to criticism for allowing the theme park to continue operating before confirming the exact source of the outbreak. The Department had then yet to conclude if the illness was caused by the food, the water in the park’s pools and rides, or a combination of both.
The Health Department in its statement however had not answered as to if there was any action such as fines or penalties imposed on the management of Sunway Lagoon.
Sources close to the investigation said that attendees at the event began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, including vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and dehydration, within an hour of consuming the meals served during the event. Several individuals, including children, special needs individuals, and the elderly, sought treatment at hospitals for severe dehydration and diarrhoea.
The incident has led to growing concerns about the theme park’s safety practices.
Despite the park’s ownership of a hospital, there were no significant outreach to offer restitution, compensation, or medical assistance to the affected individuals.
In addition, reports have surfaced of previous, smaller food poisoning incidents at the park’s affiliated hotels and mall, although none were as widespread as the October 4 outbreak.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the department said it has worked to improve food safety measures, conducting meetings with park management and event organisers to reinforce hygiene practices.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged food operators to adhere strictly to hygiene regulations, and the public has been advised to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms after consuming food from unverified sources. – November 8, 2025