SINGAPORE \u2013 The food safety grading system in Singapore will be replaced from Jan 19 with a new framework that focuses more on an establishment\u2019s track record of ensuring food safety, rather than yearly snapshot assessments. <\/p>\n
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced on Jan 7 the new scheme, dubbed the Safety Assurance for Food Establishments (SAFE) framework. <\/p>\n
The new framework will apply to an estimated 45,000 SFA-licensed food establishments, including food caterers, restaurants, bakeries, hawker stalls and food carts, SFA said. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Under the existing grading system<\/p>\n <\/a>, food establishments are graded A, B, C, or D, based on an annual assessment by SFA. The current system has been in place for close to three decades.<\/p>\n Outlets are graded based on overall hygiene, cleanliness and housekeeping standards of the premises in a \u201csnapshot assessment\u201d. <\/p>\n According to previous media reports, a food establishment that scores 85 per cent and above is graded A. Scoring between 70 per cent and 84 per cent earns a B, 50 per cent and 69 per cent earns a C, and 40 per cent and 49 per cent earns a D. <\/p>\n This scheme provides an indication of an establishment\u2019s food safety standards at the point of assessment, but does not reflect whether these standards are consistently maintained over time.<\/p>\n Under the new framework, however, food establishments with consistent good food safety track records will attain higher grades, SFA said. <\/p>\n Those with poor food safety track records will receive lower grades and be subjected to more frequent inspections, the agency added. <\/p>\n For example, a food establishment will receive a grade A if it has a good track record of more than three years. If there is a major lapse in ensuring food safety at an establishment, such as receiving a court conviction for food safety-related offences, it will be immediately downgraded to a grade C.<\/p>\n Food establishments that have been operating for less than a year will begin with a \u201cNew\u201d grade to differentiate them from operators with established track records.<\/p>\n Dr Tan Lee Kim, SFA director-general of food administration, said the new framework offers a more effective way to assess food safety performance.<\/p>\n \u201cBy recognising food establishments that consistently maintain high standards, we strengthen food safety across the industry while empowering consumers to make informed choices,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the outcome of extensive engagement with industry stakeholders, and SFA will work with food establishments through this transition.\u201d<\/p>\n SFA will automatically assign existing food establishments a starting grade under the SAFE framework based on their current food safety track records, which will be available to the food establishments and the public from Jan 19. <\/p>\n Members of the public can find out an establishment\u2019s safety grade by scanning the QR code on the SFA licence displayed at the food establishment or by checking the <\/p>\n go.gov.sg\/sfa-track-<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n