<<Hospital outlets could lead way on shape up or ship out idea, says Health Minister
By Judith Tan & Nicholas Yong
Mr Khaw believes that people here have become complacent, and said that hygiene levels have slumped to almost a failing grade. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
IT IS shape up or ship out for food outlets which do not have excellent hygiene standards - starting with those at public hospitals.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said yesterday that hospital stallholders which do not get the top 'A' or 'B' ratings may be told to close shop.
Hawkers' report card
THE hawker hygiene grading system, which was started in 1997, acts as a report card. It assesses food hawkers based on cleanliness, housekeeping and food and personal hygiene.
Grades from 'A' for superior hygiene practices to 'D' for below-average cleanliness should be displayed prominently at each stall.
... more
'If they want to renew the tender or take part in it, then they must deliver this minimum standard of hygiene,' he said.
His tough stance comes in the wake of Singapore's worst food poisoning outbreak. In Geylang Serai this month, contaminated Indian rojak struck down 154 people, killing two.
Mr Khaw believes that people here have become complacent, and said that hygiene levels have slumped to almost a failing grade.
Speaking yesterday at the launch of a cycling track linking Sembawang and Woodlands, he built on his suggestion for public hospitals to lead the charge in raising hygiene standards.
'Our food handlers are by and large 'A', minimum 'B'. There were only a handful who are 'C'. So, of course, a lot of pressure would be on them to improve,' he said.
His benchmark: Japan, where food stalls are so clean that Mr Khaw said he is 'prepared to pay a little bit more for that security'.
The private sector has already shown it is possible. At the Kopitiam chain, which has five of its 57 foodcourts located at hospitals, it is compulsory to get an 'A' grade.
Managing director Alden Tan said that his secret of success was a separate hygiene department to check on the stalls and giving stallholders pep talks.
Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times. >>
A few days after he said this, Japan has about 100 cases of H1N1..
this guy really sabo Japan.. whatever he says, opposite will be true..
By Judith Tan & Nicholas Yong
Mr Khaw believes that people here have become complacent, and said that hygiene levels have slumped to almost a failing grade. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
IT IS shape up or ship out for food outlets which do not have excellent hygiene standards - starting with those at public hospitals.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said yesterday that hospital stallholders which do not get the top 'A' or 'B' ratings may be told to close shop.
Hawkers' report card
THE hawker hygiene grading system, which was started in 1997, acts as a report card. It assesses food hawkers based on cleanliness, housekeeping and food and personal hygiene.
Grades from 'A' for superior hygiene practices to 'D' for below-average cleanliness should be displayed prominently at each stall.
... more
'If they want to renew the tender or take part in it, then they must deliver this minimum standard of hygiene,' he said.
His tough stance comes in the wake of Singapore's worst food poisoning outbreak. In Geylang Serai this month, contaminated Indian rojak struck down 154 people, killing two.
Mr Khaw believes that people here have become complacent, and said that hygiene levels have slumped to almost a failing grade.
Speaking yesterday at the launch of a cycling track linking Sembawang and Woodlands, he built on his suggestion for public hospitals to lead the charge in raising hygiene standards.
'Our food handlers are by and large 'A', minimum 'B'. There were only a handful who are 'C'. So, of course, a lot of pressure would be on them to improve,' he said.
His benchmark: Japan, where food stalls are so clean that Mr Khaw said he is 'prepared to pay a little bit more for that security'.
The private sector has already shown it is possible. At the Kopitiam chain, which has five of its 57 foodcourts located at hospitals, it is compulsory to get an 'A' grade.
Managing director Alden Tan said that his secret of success was a separate hygiene department to check on the stalls and giving stallholders pep talks.
Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times. >>
A few days after he said this, Japan has about 100 cases of H1N1..
this guy really sabo Japan.. whatever he says, opposite will be true..
