Stiffer penalties, tighter accountability announced to maintain hygiene in food establishments
The National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) have announced stiffer penalties and tighter accountability for food hygiene offences, especially by food establishments involved in food poisoning incidents.
In a joint media statement released on Friday (21 December), the two authorities said that the total composition fines for food establishments involved in major food poisoning incidents will be increased. Food operators who commit serious hygiene offences will also be prosecuted in court under the relevant legislation.
These include the Environment Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations, the Sale of Food Act, or the Environment Public Health Act which carries a maximum penalty of a fine of $10,000 for a first offender, and in the case of a repeat offender, a fine of $20,000 and/or a three-month jail term. In appropriate cases, NEA and AVA will also press for deterrent sentences to be imposed by the Court.
Tighten role, accountability of food hygiene officer
NEA and AVA also said that they will tighten the role and accountability of the food hygiene officers (FHO) who are in charge of implementing preventive measures and a system of supervisory checks in food establishments to maintain a high standard of food and personal hygiene among the food handlers.
In the event that the licence of a food establishment is suspended, all its FHOs are required to go for retraining and pass the Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Conduct Food and Beverage Hygiene Audit course. The suspended food establishment must have a properly trained and qualified FHO before any lifting of the suspension will be considered.
The above measures will take immediate effect, and form part of the measures to align Singapore’s regulatory framework over all food-related matters from farm to fork. These measures include the formation of the Singapore Food Agency next year.
Additional inspection on food establishments
The NEA and AVA are also in the midst of completing additional inspections on food establishments that provide catering services during this festive period. These inspections are in addition to the regular inspections of the 40,700 food establishments that are taking place throughout the year.
They have also issued regular year-end advisories to food operators to remind them to adhere to good hygiene practices during food preparation and handling. In addition, NEA conducted face-to-face engagement sessions with representatives from the Association of Catering Professionals Singapore and the Restaurant Association of Singapore on 11 and 13 December, respectively, to further reinforce the importance of food hygiene and safety.
Following the recent food poisoning incidents, the two authorities will continue to place errant establishments under close surveillance and work with them to improve their food hygiene practices.
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