We assure Mr Fun Chee Heng the National Environment Agency (NEA) has put in place a system that helps create an environment that is clean and free of vermin and other pests in food shops and food centres. Under the system, all food handlers are taught to practise good personal and food hygiene. In sustaining a quality clean environment, it is also important that NEA's efforts are coupled with the public's active role in adopting good hygiene and anti-littering habits.

To maintain a high standard of hygiene, NEA licenses all public eateries and imposes stringent requirements on all operators to ensure there are adequate and proper facilities for food storage, preparation and service, and washing and toilet facilities, to name a few. In addition, operators are expected to manage refuse well to prevent vermin and rodent infestation.

Besides ensuring a proper infrastructure, all food handlers are required to take a basic food hygiene course where they learn basic food microbiology, proper handling and preparation of food and maintenance of a food establishment. This enables them to practise good food and personal hygiene at all times. Similarly, table cleaners at hawker centres are regularly reminded to adopt required hygiene practices when clearing and cleaning tables.

In June 1997, NEA introduced the grading system to effectively appraise all food shops and food stalls and motivate licensees to improve and maintain a good level of hygiene. We continually work with licensees to improve their grades, with particular attention to D graders.

Our efforts have seen considerable success. In 2006, the number of food stalls and food shops graded A and B improved to 76 per cent, while the number of C and D graders declined to 24 per cent.

To maintain the standard, we also conduct regular inspections in all public eateries and those with C or D grading are inspected more frequently than those with A and B grading. Inspections are always conducted together with the licensee or a representative. Irregularities are pointed out for expeditious rectification and stern action is taken if the premises are badly littered, poorly maintained or if there is a serious breach of personal or food hygiene.

We would appreciate it if Mr Fun could contact our 24-hour NEA Call Centre on 1800-CALL NEA (1800- 2255-632) with information on the locations of the eateries where he observed lapses.

S. Satish Appoo
Director
Environmental Health Department
National Environment Agency