CEO responds to public comments
MR Andrew Tan, the National Environment Agency's (NEA) chief
executive officer, also sent a reply to The Straits Times yesterday
about the food poisoning incident at the Geylang Serai Temporary
Market, which read:
'I thank all letter-writers and journalists of The Straits Times
who have commented on the importance of maintaining high standards
of public hygiene in our hawker centres, following the severe
incident of food poisoning traced to a stall at the Geylang Serai
Temporary Market.
We, at NEA, are deeply saddened by this episode that is linked
to more than 150 people falling ill, many acutely, with two losing
their lives. Our hearts are with the affected people and the
grieving families to whom we have extended our deepest
condolences.
The outpouring of concern rightfully shows the widespread
sympathy we share for them as well as the high standards expected
of our markets and food centres.
Maintaining good hygiene standards
NEA has the overall responsibility for ensuring high standards
of public health and hygiene in Singapore. We would like to assure
the public that NEA will strive to uphold these high standards.
The current system for upholding public hygiene comprising
legislation, surveillance, enforcement and public education has
served us well.
The number of food poisoning cases in Singapore is very low.
Over the last three years, there has been an average of only four
food poisoning incidents a year even though we have 5,600 hawker
stalls across 106 hawker centres.
Grading of stalls
The grading scheme, introduced in 1997, was intended to motivate
licensees to improve on their personal and food hygiene and upkeep
of their premises. All stalls that are graded and allowed to
operate meet the basic hygiene requirements.
The grading scheme sought to differentiate and recognise those
who made greater efforts to improve and sustain the cleanliness and
hygiene of their operations. By making the grades public, it was
hoped that consumers' choice could also lend pressure to encourage
hawkers to strive for higher standards.
NEA, on its part, also actively worked with stallholders to
encourage them to improve, by paying more attention to those with
lower grades. NEA facilitates upgrading courses so that food
handlers gain the knowledge to raise standards.
Food stalls in hawker centres that are graded 'A' and 'B' are
inspected every eight weeks, while stalls graded 'C' and 'D' are
inspected more frequently every six weeks. NEA uses a point demerit
system to penalise food handlers for any lapses in maintaining good
personal and food hygiene.
When a food handler accumulates 12 demerit points in a year, his
licence will be suspended for two weeks. This is how NEA keeps
unhygienic stalls from operating.
This regime has led to a significant improvement in food hygiene
levels in Singapore. Over the years, the proportion of grade 'A'
and 'B' stalls has increased from 46 per cent in 2002 to 86 per
cent last year.
The remaining 14 per cent of stalls are graded 'C' and they meet
hygiene requirements. The grading and point demerit system,
together with a regime of regular inspections, have helped to keep
food poisoning incidence low.
Notwithstanding, food poisoning incidents can occur in any food
establishment, regardless of its grading, if there are lapses in
personal hygiene.
Overall hygiene standards at hawker centres have also improved
through the Hawker Centres Upgrading Programme.
Since 2001, a total of 72 centres have been upgraded with better
facilities and toilets, among other improvements.
The remaining 30 or so centres will be upgraded by 2012.
Cleanliness of Geylang Serai Temporary
Market
When markets and hawker centres are being upgraded, grassroot
organisations and their advisers can choose to have a temporary
market which is not provided for under the Government's Hawker
Centres Upgrading Programme.
If so, they also carry the responsibility of keeping the
temporary market clean to meet NEA standards. However, NEA will
intervene if it assesses the need to do so in the interest of
public health.
In the case of
Geylang Serai Market, the Kampong Ubi CCC decided to build and
manage the temporary market. Despite the best of efforts put in by
the Temporary Market Management Committee in implementing its
cleaning regime and in tackling the rat infestation problem, the
problem had persisted.
NEA should have moved in firmly earlier to address this problem.
Sustained efforts with NEA's assistance and enforcement have now
led to a marked improvement.
NEA will continue to require the Management Committee to sustain
ongoing cleaning and pest control efforts.
Greater vigilance
Going forward, NEA will step up its vigilance and enforce higher
standards of public hygiene on all food outlets. NEA will also
conduct more refresher training on food and personal hygiene for
stallholders and food handlers.
We will further tighten up our own procedures to ensure the
timely issuing and display of up-to-date grading labels.
To impress on the need for good hygiene practices by all and
enhance understanding of the overall system, NEA will step up
engagement of market managements and operators of food
establishments.
Public awareness efforts so as to also involve consumers in
maintaining high levels of public hygiene at all times are also
being looked into.
NEA will further improve on the current system, taking into
account the useful feedback and suggestions thus far. We thank
everyone for the valuable feedback and suggestions. We continue to
welcome views at [email protected] and
1800-CALL-NEA (1800-2255-632).'
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