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The framework also divides food establishments into two categories based on their level of food processing or preparation.<\/p>\n
Category 1 comprises around 11,500 establishments involved in higher-risk food operations, including restaurants with kitchens of at least 16 sq m, food caterers, in-house kitchens and canteens with catering services. Food processing facilities and slaughterhouses also come under this category.<\/p>\n
Category 2 covers about 33,500 operators with low to moderate food preparation levels, such as bakeries, pubs, nightclubs, takeaway outlets, smaller restaurants and food stalls in coffee shops, hawker centres and food courts.<\/p>\n
From phase 2, which has no start date yet, category 1 establishments will have to meet two additional requirements to maintain an A rating: implementing a certified food safety management system and appointing an advanced food hygiene officer.<\/p>\n
The officer will be responsible for developing, implementing and managing food safety protocols that identify and prevent hazards throughout the food handling and preparation process \u2013 from receiving ingredients to serving customers.<\/p>\n
Category 2 operators will not be subject to these additional requirements. SFA said more details on the second phase will be announced by next year.<\/p>\n
Category 1 establishments without a history of C ratings can access a fast-track pathway to grade A by meeting three conditions: at least one year of good food safety track records, appointment of an advanced food hygiene officer and implementation of a certified food safety management system.<\/p>\n
No fast-track option is available for category 2 operators.<\/p>\n
The new framework supersedes a previous version announced in 2021 that proposed a colour-banding system with bronze, silver and gold ratings corresponding to three, five or 10-year licence durations. That system was scheduled to begin on Jan 1, 2023, but was not implemented.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From Jan 19, the public can check an establishment’s food safety grade by scanning the QR code on the SFA licence displayed at the premises or by visiting SFA’s website.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unlike the current system, establishments are not required to prominently display their grades on-site.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n